The Baseline Study on the Working Conditions of Somali Women Journalists was conducted during September and October 2016, with the aim of improving understanding of the conditions for female journalists in Somalia via substantive, actionable datasets. The

study was initiated by the Somali Women Journalists (SWJ) Association in collaboration with IMS-Fojo, in recognition of the absenceof a single, centralised body of data on the status of women in the journalism profession. The collapse of the central government following the country’s prolonged civil war had devastating consequences for national infrastructure, media included. As Somalia begins to emerge from the ravages of civil war, the need for a comprehensive and gender inclusive media development strategy has been identified as an important component of the nation building process.

Accordingly, this study was designed to identify existing gender disparities affecting the working conditions for journalists. The study seeks to provide key stakeholders with a clear perspective on the status quo, and inform responses to gender imbalances in Somali journalism.

The key areas of investigation included the proportion of women and men in journalism, the position of women in organisational structures, journalists’ safety and security (with a focus on women), working conditions, recruitment procedures, job satisfaction, levels of education and training, and cultural barriers. The study assesses gender sensitive policies of media houses, the professional capacity and limitations of journalists, and the gender gaps in the profession as a whole.

The study was carried out in the capital cities of four states in Somalia: Mogadishu; Garowe; Kismayo; and Baidoa. There are approximately 1,000 journalists operating in these parts of Somalia, 23% of whom are female. There are around 40 media houses, the majority of which are based in Mogadishu. Accordingly, 40% of samples were drawn from Mogadishu.

The methodology of the study involved: i) A survey of female and male journalists; ii) Key  informant interviews with owners/managers of media houses and media associations; iii) Focus groups with journalists across the three regions.

A total of 148 journalists, i.e. 15% of the total journalist population, participated in the study. 61 of the 148 were women and 87 were men. The sample also involved 19 interviews with key informants (15 media houses and 4 associations, 1 in each location), and 8 focus group discussions – 2 in each location. The 4 locations covered by the study are Mogadishu (the capital city), Garowe (the regional capital of Puntland State), Baidoa (the regional capital of the South-western State), and Kismayo (the regional capital of Jubaland State).

The study found that overall, journalismin Somalia falls far short of the fifth UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The study demonstrates that if the current conditions for women in Somalia’s media remain unaddressed, the country will fail to achieve the SDG targets on ending all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.