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Somalia: UN training course spotlights toll-free hotline to help tackle gender-based violence

IDP’S attend a training session on Human Rights, Gender and Sexual Violence in Mogadishu, Somalia, which was supported by the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).
UN/Omar Abdisalan
IDP’S attend a training session on Human Rights, Gender and Sexual Violence in Mogadishu, Somalia, which was supported by the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

Somalia: UN training course spotlights toll-free hotline to help tackle gender-based violence

A United Nations-supported training course has been held in Somalia after the launch of a toll free hotline for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to tackle sexual violence by enhancing timely response to abuse cases and offering information on accessible health services.

Hotline 5555, nicknamed Ceebla meaning 'no shame' in Somali, was initiated in October by the Somali Women's Development Centre (SWDC), and the training course was held with the support of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), several UN agencies and non-profit organizations, according to UNSOM.

“More importantly, we are also sharing with them information on services available for victims of gender-based violence, which includes domestic violence and rape,” said UNSOM Human Rights Officer Abdinasir Moallin during a training session meant to sensitize IDPs on the rights and services available to victims of gender-based violence.

Aiming to improve timely report to the authorities and their response time to handle abuse cases, the hotline also helps make health service accessible to the victims, such as providing information on emergency medical services.

Of great importance, one Somali official stated, is that the hotline breaks the cultural taboo as most sexual violence was unreported due to stigmatization and regarded normal.

Moreover, it offers a platform for the vulnerable group with legal and social support, urging them seeking justice with the help of police.

“We received training on human rights and gender-based violence, which we will share with our people in the camps,” Fartun Hassan Hussein, an IDP representative at the training, applauded the hotline launch to curb the rampant gender-based violence in the camps.