Duchess of Edinburgh Strengthens UK Somalia Partnership as She Listens to Gender Based Violence Survivors in Mogadishu and Lower Shabelle

Few royal trips carry the kind of weight that blends diplomacy, security, and raw human emotion all at once.

But that’s exactly what unfolded when the Duchess of Edinburgh touched down in Somalia for a focused two-day visit just ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.

Her journey to Mogadishu was not about ceremony.

It was about listening — and about shining a spotlight on women whose lives have been shaped by conflict, resilience, and survival.

A Conversation at Villa Somalia

One of the first stops was Villa Somalia, where the Duchess was received by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The meeting set the tone for the visit.

They discussed the central role women play in rebuilding fractured communities, strengthening peace efforts, and demanding accountability for sexual and gender-based violence.

The Duchess welcomed Somalia’s Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan — a framework designed to increase women’s participation in peace processes and protect them from violence — and encouraged its continued and practical implementation.

Somalia has been working to rebuild state institutions after decades of civil war that began in 1991.

In recent years, the federal government has tried to push reforms aimed at governance, security, and women’s political inclusion.

But the path remains difficult.

Hearing the Stories No One Should Have to Tell

At Uganda House in Mogadishu, the Duchess met survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

These were not abstract statistics — they were women with names, families, and deeply painful experiences.

Some had endured violence at the hands of al-Shabaab, the extremist group that has carried out bombings and targeted attacks across the country for years.

Their stories reinforced the importance of the UK-Somalia security partnership, which supports efforts to counter extremism and stabilise vulnerable regions.

The Duchess was joined in these conversations by the President’s daughter, Jihan Abdullahi Hassan.

Together, they listened as survivors described the physical and psychological toll of rape, assault, and female genital mutilation — practices that still affect many women and girls in Somalia.

Visiting Families Living With the Cost of War

The visit extended beyond meeting officials and activists.

In Lower Shabelle, the Duchess visited a village where the wives of Somali soldiers spoke candidly about their reality.

While their husbands fight to push back against al-Shabaab and secure communities, these women shoulder the burden at home.

They described the anxiety of waiting for news, the struggle to raise children in unstable conditions, and the ever-present threat posed by militants.

Somalia’s fight against al-Shabaab has intensified in recent years, with government forces and allied militias reclaiming territory.

But the conflict continues to affect civilian life, particularly in rural regions.

The Organisations Doing the Hard Work

Several Somali organisations supported by the British Embassy shared the challenges they face daily.

Groups such as the Ifrah Foundation, ALIGHT’s Somali Women’s Leadership Initiative, and the Somali Women Study Centre operate in an environment shaped by insecurity, drought, and limited resources.

Years of climate shocks have compounded Somalia’s fragility. Severe droughts have displaced communities, increased food insecurity, and left women and girls particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Between 2024 and 2025, UK-supported programmes reached nearly 130,000 Somali women and girls affected by gender-based violence.

That support included medical treatment for injuries and complications, hygiene and dignity kits, and psychosocial counselling — services that are often lifesaving in a country where stigma can prevent survivors from seeking help.

Inside a Mogadishu Hospital

In the centre of Mogadishu, the Duchess visited a hospital participating in a UK-funded sexual and reproductive health programme.

The initiative runs across 39 health facilities in five regions — Banadir, Bay, Mudug, Lower Shabelle, and Galgaduud — areas heavily affected by insecurity and displacement.

The programme, implemented by the International Rescue Committee, aims to make care more accessible and less intimidating for survivors of sexual violence.

Healthcare workers explained how improved services help reduce the stigma and fear that often surround reporting abuse.

In private conversations, survivors shared the long-lasting consequences of rape and female genital mutilation, not only physically but emotionally and socially.

For many women, seeking treatment can mean confronting shame, cultural barriers, or even retaliation. Strengthening these services, therefore, is not just a medical issue — it is a societal one.

Why This Visit Matters

The Duchess’s trip comes at a time when global attention on women in conflict zones is intensifying. Somalia remains one of the most complex humanitarian contexts in the world.

Armed violence, displacement, and climate stress intersect in ways that disproportionately affect women and girls.

By travelling to Mogadishu, meeting survivors directly, and engaging with political leaders, the Duchess underscored the UK’s ongoing commitment to supporting Somalia’s stability and advancing women’s rights.

Royal visits may be symbolic, but symbolism can carry weight.

When a senior member of the British Royal Family meets survivors face-to-face, it sends a signal — both internationally and locally — that these issues cannot be ignored.

What’s Next?

The real test lies beyond the visit itself.

Somalia’s Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan will require sustained funding, political will, and grassroots engagement to translate policy into everyday protection.

Continued collaboration between Somali authorities, community leaders, and international partners like the UK will be crucial.

Security operations against al-Shabaab are ongoing, but long-term stability will depend not just on military progress, but on social reform, economic opportunity, and stronger institutions.

For women and girls, access to healthcare, justice systems that prosecute perpetrators, education, and economic empowerment programmes will determine whether meaningful change takes root.

The Duchess has now moved on to continue her regional tour.

But the question remains: will the momentum created during those two days in Mogadishu lead to measurable improvements in the lives of Somali women?

Summary

The Duchess of Edinburgh made a two-day visit to Mogadishu ahead of International Women’s Day, meeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and discussing Somalia’s Women, Peace and Security agenda.

She met survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, including victims of al-Shabaab, and visited families of Somali soldiers in Lower Shabelle.

The Duchess also engaged with Somali organisations supported by the UK and visited a hospital delivering UK-funded sexual and reproductive health services across five regions.

Nearly 130,000 women and girls benefited from UK-backed gender-based violence programmes between 2024 and 2025.

Her visit highlighted the intersection of conflict, climate stress, and gender-based violence in Somalia — and reinforced the need for sustained action to protect and empower Somali women.