WOMEN’s EMPOWERMENT FOR
SELF-SUFFICIENCY
By:
Mohamed Ali Abukar, PhD
*All Pictures in this Presentation are used only for
Educational Purposes
ROOTS CAUSES OF
AFRICAN CONFLICTS
• After obtaining independence, most African countries
were Democracy deficient.
• While the move of independence status was a welcome
change, the transition to democracy has not always been
smooth.
• The dictatorial model of governing has persisted with a
general lack of political maturity.
• The modernization process was not properly advanced to
provide conditions for complete democracy and freedom.
• Tribalism has fueled inter-conflicts and struggle for
internal power in several African countries.
SOMALIA AND THE POWER
STRUGGLE’S CONFLICT
• Clan rivalry is the driving force behind Somalia’s now 21 year old
civil war, which has caused death, misery, massacre, mass graves
and dispersion of more than one million Somalis.
• It may be difficult to even imagine, but when that happens, there
are atrocities, especially upon the female population and the
minorities, which includes assaults of all kinds, tortures, rape and
witnessing the murder of a very close family members.
• Arising out of this devastating situation rose AMERICA, the
country whose promise has always been, and continues to be, to
take in those in an oppressive situation and provide them with
FREEDOM and OPPORTUNITY.
• Somalia is currently going through the worst drought in over sixty years!
*Clan militia who are the root cause of the civil war.
*Civil war and power struggle based on tribalism has caused these people to
leave their home and seek refuge in neighboring countries.
THE SOMALI REFUGEE
COMMUNITY IN ARIZONA
• Currently, there are about 11,000 Somali residing in Arizona, of
which (70%) are female and live in Maricopa County, particularly
in the Greater Phoenix area.
• A recent survey of health providers in Maricopa County, reported
in the Arizona Republic, revealed that Somali placed second to
Spanish as the most requested language for health interpreters.
• Very basic cultural barriers begin with an unfamiliarity of how
medical providers function in American society.
• Refugees must overcome all barriers, which is a significant
challenge, and yet, a huge opportunity for change.
*Somali refugee gathering for socialization program.
SOMALI REFUGEE WOMEN
 Traditionally, Somali women have been raised in an extremely
male-dominated society and encouraged to play a passive role in
the public and private spheres.
 Now, suddenly, they find themselves in forefront, left with the
difficult tasks to understand and receive access to appropriate
healthcare, take on a more active role and empowerment, become
self-sufficient and integrate properly.
 They must navigate in a new cultural system, which will result in
feelings of disconnection.
 These women must overcome cultural and language barriers, must
seek employment and medical attention, while making other
decisions regarding their lives and families.
SOMALI REFUGEES AND
PTSD
 As consequence of the civil war, the Somali refugees respond to
PTSD with a variety of symptoms, such as depression, flashbacks,
misplaced anger and feeling of disconnection.
 People feel very passive and “shut down” overly aggressive, or
unable to concentrate.
 Treatment with Western medicine is a method with which the
Somali refugee has no experience
 SAUC is committed to provide a system and make sure that the
refugee receives access to appropriate healthcare before it’s too
late, which will result in an increase to the positive social change,
emotional support and successful integration process.
SOMALI AMERICAN UNITED
COUNCIL OF ARIZONA
 SAUC, a non-profit organization, was formed in July 2006
in response to the growing need to connect Somali
community in Arizona with each other and the rest of the
American society.
 SAUC fills a critical need by helping newly arrived families
adjust to their lives, location, language and culture.
 The mission is to promote a better understanding between
the Somali refugee community and other American
communities, and help members of the Somali community
properly integrate into the mainstream American society
while preserving their own culture.
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
 The mission of the SAUC is carried out through community
development programs, which are organized according to the
needs of the community.
 Our activities includes: Mentorship, case management,
translations, referrals, job replacement, community outreach,
community empowerment, family crises prevention, breast
cancer education and outreach session, ESL & Citizenship
classes, basic sewing classes, child care professional training,
parenting education and others.
 The council also provides help managing community issues
such as health concerns and crucial cultural services.
*Women Empowerment group in socialization session and building special
Relationships.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES FOR
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
 The council provides a support system that will enable the Somali
refugee women to complete an empowerment program, and
includes:
 Mentorship/case management and clients’ interaction on sensitive
issues
 Support group, group training and tutoring
 Translation and transportation services
 Promotion of receptivity to new ideas and acceptance to change.
 Socialization through cultural gatherings and “sister support
group”, and parenting education sessions
 Promoting debates and group discussions on sensitive issues.
 Promoting understanding on the proper way of benefitting from
their healthcare providers, providing translations, advocacy and
emotional support
VOLUNTEER MENTORS
 The structure of the organization’s program to
overcome barriers is recruiting and utilizing mentor/
case management volunteers that advocate by
providing emotional support and serving as a cultural
intermediary as well as a role model, who has achieved
success at cultural integration.
 These volunteers are given continuous and good advice
to overcome all obstacles.
 These mentors have received specific training to act as
advocates and help translating diagnosis and treatment
into a culturally relevant context.
*S.A.U.C volunteer team in action to provide a support system for empowerment.
USED METHODOLOGY
 The used methodology is based on outreach, lectures and
educational videos containing all possible information
relevant to the program’s topics.
 Visual aids and other educational materials are also used to
show additional information.
 Face to face, group discussions and open debate is always
facilitated, and all questions are entertained, discussed and
properly answered.
 The council is committed to gathering evidence to show that
the used method effectively achieves the goals and creates
effective and meaningful empowerment process for selfsufficiency.
*Group Support & Women Empowerment Session.
OUTCOMES AND
FOLLOW-UP
 The outcomes are intended to ensure a positive effect on the
improvement of the human condition of a socially committed
people who are able to work successfully, achieve self-sufficiency
by properly integrating into the mainstream American society,
and have the wisdom and skills to work toward ignorance
eradication.
 The approach will help the Somali refugee women to become
immensely powerful in a positive way and enhance their
acceptance and receptivity to their new society and the new social
change.
 The SAUC will share the results and information with other
nonprofit organization working with refugees, and will follow-up
with the beneficiary or clients after completion of the program to
demonstrate the level of progress and achievement.