In the past 3 decades Somalia has been facing humanitarian crisis including protracted conflict, persistent and recurring floods, draughts, locust invasion, among others. Vulnerable groups such as women, children, PLWD, IDPs etc. have the highest price in during these crisis. This year 2020, COVID-19 pandemic has been an added health challenge to already existing humanitarian crisis in a country where services are limited.

“With support from EAJ grant by USAID, Somali Women Development Centre (SWDC) as a long time legal aid organization extends its commitment to ensure that access to justice for vulnerable and marginalized groups are enhanced during the pandemic restriction.“

Zahra Mohamed Ahmed
Chief Executive Director

Al though maintaining social distance, wearing a mask and washing the hands are very critical to avoid the spread of the virus,  yet the pandemic restrictions have had huge impact on the already challenging social services including the closure of the courts and other justice services. Al though it’s evident that cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women and children have increased during the restriction period, yet it is important that access to justice for vulnerable groups to be enhanced.

With support from EAJ grant by USAID, Somali Women Development Centre (SWDC) as a long time legal aid organization extends its commitment to ensure that access to justice for vulnerable and marginalized groups are enhanced during the pandemic restriction. This will be achieved by continuing awareness raising on COVID-19 pandemic, GBV and also providing remote hotline-based legal counselling to clients. SWDC commits to ensure that services are maintained to provide accountability to its affected population throughout the pandemic period.