The workings of a UNICEF Safe Space for women and girls

Najat* is a sixteen-year-old girl from Mogadishu's Waaberi District. After her mother passed away, she lived with her grandfather but often stayed at her father's house with her stepmother and four brothers. Her stepmother mistreated her, and her brothers insulted her constantly, making her feel hated and disconnected from the family.

With her father often away for manual work, Najat began seeking money from men for food. Her situation worsened when she became pregnant out of wedlock, causing her family to threaten her life. Fearing for her safety, she ran away and sought refuge with friends.

The community stigmatized her, and her brothers and father sent her daily threats, especially after learning about her newborn baby. Najat, unsure of the baby's father, gave birth at a friend’s house without going to a hospital. The situation became too dangerous, and her friend, fearing for both their safety, took Najat to the police. The police began investigating the case and referred her to the UNICEF-supported Somali Women Development Centre (SWDC) safe house for protection, as her friend could no longer shelter her.

Najat arrived with her one-week-old baby at the SWDC safe house, desperate and scared. SWDC staff welcomed her and took her and the baby to the hospital for medical check-ups. She also began receiving psychosocial support. Initially, Najat struggled to breastfeed due to stress, which prevented her from producing milk, leaving her baby hungry and crying constantly. After three days at the safe house, with the encouragement of caseworkers and proper care, Najat started producing milk and was able to feed her baby. SWDC provided her with nutritious meals, clothes, and a safe environment, helping her regain a sense of security.

In the meantime, the police mediated with her family. Although her father asked her to return home, Najat refused out of fear that her family would harm her and her baby. Her maternal aunt eventually intervened and agreed to take them in. After two and a half months at the SWDC safe house, with proper police guarantees and an agreement with her aunt, Najat moved to her aunt’s house in Mogadishu mid-August.

SWDC continues to support Najat through monthly follow-up visits, providing emergency materials and integrated services, thanks to the German Federal Foreign Office funding support to the people of Somalia through UNICEF. Najat remains in a challenging situation, as her teenage pregnancy and out-of-wedlock child conflict with Somali cultural and religious norms. Despite this, she and her baby are doing well and continue to receive psychosocial support. SWDC is committed to assisting her as she navigates this difficult time.

*name changed
Story prepared by UNICEF's partner, Northern Frontier Youth League (NoFYL)