One of the women interviewed by Bilan Media for the report on this page: the inhabitants of the displacement camps live in shack-like shelters made of rags, without electricity or protection. Gender-based violence is widespread, as are early and forced marriages. - Bilan Media

"Women without borders" is the Avvenire's new initiative for International Women's Day: a series of exclusive reports telling the stories of women's conditions in forgotten countries. (MORE INFORMATION HERE)

In Somalia, where climate change, conflict, and instability have led to widespread displacement, women face an alarming reality, they are the most vulnerable to sexual violence. Victims are often left without justice, while their attackers walk free, protected by societal stigma, fear, and informal clan-based resolutions. According to data gathered by the United Nations Population Fund (Unfpa), rape and physical violence are prevalent forms of gender-based violence affecting women and girls in displaced communities.

Amina Awies, a 28-year-old displaced woman and mother of nine, is one such victims. Earlier last year, she was gang-raped while collecting firewood for her family. Her attackers threatened to kill her if she reported the assault. «I went out to collect firewood to cook for my children when they raped me. They beat me, and I didn’t get immediate help», she says.

Although Amina has physically recovered from her injuries, the psychological scars remain. She and her family live in a fragile shelter made of stitched-together fabric on the outskirts of Garasbaaley district. Without electricity, and adequate security, she fears retaliation if she pursues justice. «I’m not from a wealthy family or a clan with influence. I fear that seeking justice might lead to retaliation against me or my children», says Amina.

The journalist from Bilan Media went to the internal displacement camps to document the condition of women for Avvenire - Bilan Media

Many of Amina’s neighbors share her concerns. Numerous women in the Beladul Amiin camp, home to over 800 families displaced by drought, conflict, and flooding—have also experienced violence. They worry that supporting Amina’s case could make them targets when they leave the camp to work.

Amina explains that many women in Mogadishu’s internally displaced persons (IDP) camps are forced to venture out for income to support their families, taking on jobs like washing clothes, cleaning houses, or other informal work. However, their efforts to provide for their families expose them to significant risks, including rape and other forms of sexual violence. These dangers are fueled by the fragile security conditions in IDP camps, and limited access to formal justice mechanisms, leaving women and girls disproportionately exposed to harm.

The vulnerability of displaced women extends beyond sexual violence. This year alone, authorities have rescued around 1.000 girls aged 14 to 18 from early marriage, transactional marriage, and child labor. Among them is 17-year-old Ambiyo Abdi Abdillahi.Ambiyo’s mother married her to a camp leader when she was just 15, hoping to secure access to food aid and shelter for the family.

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By 16, Ambiyo had a child. Her husband was 58 years old. «The man I married never cared for me or supported me. He was violent. I still have scars from the abuse», she says. «I don’t want my younger sisters to face the same fate. «When her husband died, Ambiyo fled the camp and sought assistance from a charity. Like many others in the camp, she cannot return home due to ongoing clan violence and clashes between the government and armed groups. Data from police forces and women’s rights organizations reveals that handred of women were raped last year alone. Despite police efforts to address gender-based violence, survivors remain hesitant to come forward. Sagal Abdinuur Ahmed, head of the Somali police’s gender-based violence unit, notes that societal stigma and fear of retaliation prevent many women from reporting their attackers.

«Police are committed to fighting violence against women, but victims and survivors hesitate to report cases due to cultural norms and fear of stigma», says Sagal. «In some cases, perpetrators record the assaults and use the footage to intimidate survivors. Police have promised to handle cases confidentially and provide justice, but for many women, fear of social judgment outweighs trust in the justice system», she adds.

The trauma of sexual violence leaves deep psychological trauma, especially among displaced women already coping with harsh living conditions.

Dr. Mohamed Abdullahi Xareed, a psychiatrist providing free mental health care to displaced communities, says most of his patients are women between the ages of 20 and 30. He treats more than around 35 women each month for trauma-related issues. «These women already struggle with harsh living conditions. When they are subjected to rape and violence without access to mental health care, their psychological state deteriorates significantly», dr Mohamed explains.

Survivors often endure extreme distress, isolation, or erratic behavior and communities responses can be cruel and lack compassion. «When these women become anxious or aggressive, community members often mock or avoid them. If they run away from home, they may face further violence or even be assaulted again», says Dr. Moahmed.

Even when survivors seek justice, Somalia’s informal justice system often works against them. According to the Somali Bar Association, clan elders frequently intervene to protect offenders. «Clan-based arbitration often favors male offenders, leaving victims without justice», says lawyer Halima.In many cases, survivors are married off to their rapists as a way to conceal the crime. This practice robs young girls of their education and forces them into early motherhood.

«These girls suffer double injustice. Not only are they denied justice, but their education is cut short and they are forced into early motherhood without fully understanding what marriage even means», Halima added.

Offenders are sometimes sent abroad to evade prosecution, while survivors’ families may receive minimal compensation, which rarely reaches the survivors themselves. «The compensation payments are divided among clan members. The survivors themselves rarely get any financial support to rebuild their lives», says Halima.

The plight of Somalia’s displaced women and girls is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a stark reflection of a justice system struggling to protect its most vulnerable. Most rape cases never make it to court, but most other cases are settled informally.

Survivors like Amina and Ambiyo are fighting to rebuild their lives after enduring unimaginable trauma. Their stories are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of violence and injustice. Without urgent action, more women and girls will continue to suffer in silence.

Bilan is Somalia’s first all-women media team. Funded by the European Union through UNDP and hosted by Dalsan Media Group, Bilan shines a light on the issues women care about and offers a platform for women’s voices.