Saluting the Brave Women of Somaliland

 By: Yusuf Habiib Hussein (Seer)

Women around the world often remain the silent architects of societies, the bedrock upon which civilizations are built and sustained. As the saying goes, "A woman is the future of a nation," which educationally points to the undeniably truthful fact that women are not just participants in the progress of a nation but are the very vision that drives it forward. A fact, indeed undeniable, even in Somaliland, which, though fragile, has been determined by fearlessness and strength instilled in it by its women.

The search by Somaliland for peace and self-government is a story of persistence, will, and unbridled bravery. The women of Somaliland are at the core of this process-heroes during and after the civil war. It was the women who kept society together while the conflict was at its worst, tending to the wounded, feeding the starving, and offering shelter to the displaced. These women have often received less attention from the annals of history, which contrasts with their critical work in mediating between rival clans and communities. It is at the grassroots levels of peace-building initiatives that women's efforts were instrumental in bringing the civil war to an end-a further manifestation of women's strength not only in nurturing but also in inspiring and leading change.

One of the most astonishing features of Somaliland women's bravery has been the steadfast determination of these women to raise their children in hardships unimaginable. This is because many women, after the civil war, had to take care of their families in the absence of fathers or any form of wealth within a world that gave very little peace and less hope. Yet they did not fall into despair. Instead, they became beacons of strength for their children and the communities at large.

Without financial resources on which many others would lean, these mothers found their way to feed their children, mostly playing multiple roles: provider, teacher, and protector all rolled into one. They tilled the land, opened small businesses, or took to informal labor markets just to make sure the food was on the table. For their children, they provided values of hard work and integrity, but perhaps, most importantly, hope-that it might get better, even when all seemed utterly hopeless. These women, in a world not especially desiring peace, would make their homesteads oases of security, displaying the much-needed love and stability among chaos. They became not just mothers but also pillars within their communities to which their children looked up for guidance with a sense of purpose, instilling into them strength to overcome adversity.

These women of Somaliland have transformed their hopeless situations into hopeful stories of peace and development. Their ability to build from the ashes of conflict into a workable future elicits the indomitable human spirit. These women did not just survive; they thrived, becoming architects in the making of a new Somaliland where peace and development are no longer some sort of distant dreams but real, tangible realities. The women of Somaliland have made immense efforts toward this nation's progress in many deep-seated ways. Be it at the forefront of community development, educating and ensuring health for the next generation with the tools they need to be successful, their contribution has gone toward forming the bedrock that a society interested in peace, embracing development, and looking toward the future optimistically will require.

Civilization, as we know it, is standing upon the shoulders of fearless women. Somaliland could not be any different. Its women are those driving social, economic, and political developments. They play the roles of educators, healers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who have worked hard every day, building a better future for their children and their communities. Not only has the entrepreneurial spirit of the women contributed a lot to Somaliland's economic development, but such a phenomenon in governance has shaped its course. From demanding their rights as women to participating in political processes, this is how Somaliland ensures that development is inclusive and just.

By and large, much of Somaliland's future will depend on its women's empowerment. With more and more women leading in different positions in the country and contributing to decision-making processes, the nation zeroes in on lasting peace and sustainable development. The bravery of Somaliland's women is a source of inspiration and force for change. It is a nation's vision regarding its treatment and how it empowers women. In the case of Somaliland, this vision represents a story of hope and unbending determination. The women of Somaliland are not only the pillars of the communities in which they belong but also the future of the nation. For it will be their bravery, wisdom, and strength that Somaliland continues to build its identity and legacy upon.

As we go forward, it cannot be more apparent how much the road to peace, governance, and prosperity of Somaliland is an ongoing outcome of the huge sacrifice that has already been made and continues to be made by these women. Their work stands as a yardstick that the greatness of any nation comes not from its wealth or power but from the strength of its people, especially its women. ALLAH bless the brave women of Somaliland-they are the real shoulders on which the civilization of tomorrow shall stand.