Bridging the Gender Divide through Empowerment Narratives: A Case of Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in Mogadishu and Afgoye in Somalia

This article examines narratives of empowerment of survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) living in internally displaced persons’ camps in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, and the district of Afgoye in the Lower Shabelle Region of the Southwest State of Somalia. These empowerment narratives emphasize survivors’ tales of resiliency, recovery, and determination. They also demonstrate how survivors regain agency and make choices that improve their well-being. Additionally, the narratives stress how crucial it is for survivors to have access to medical care, legal assistance, and employment opportunities in order to start all over again. The survivors emphasize the importance of support systems, availability of resources, and concerted efforts to bridge the gender divide and in dealing with GBV in Somalia. This includes enlisting men and boys as allies, advocating for policy changes, and initiating community-led projects.