About
A women led organization built for protection and opportunity.
Hiil Bilaang works across Southwest State, Somalia, on the protection of women and girls, on gender equality, and on the livelihoods and leadership that make both durable.
Origin
Founded in response to what the conflict left behind.
Hiil Bilaang was established in response to the devastating impact of Somalia’s prolonged civil conflict, which severely affected the country’s economy, agriculture, businesses, health services and education system.
Recognizing the urgent need for peace, security, human rights protection and economic opportunity, a group of Somali women entrepreneurs and professionals came together to establish an organization dedicated to empowering women and improving their lives.
That founding group brought professional experience rather than good intentions alone, and the organization has kept that character. Programs are built by people who understand both the community and the technical work required to change conditions inside it.
Founding experience
- Peace and community security
- Human rights protection
- Gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Community development and livelihood promotion
Vision
Hiil Bilaang envisions a peaceful, inclusive and equitable society where women and girls live free from all forms of violence, actively participate in peace building and decision making, and enjoy equal opportunities to realize their full social, economic and political potential.
Mission
To protect, empower and advocate for the rights of women and girls across Southwest State, Somalia, by promoting gender equality, preventing and responding to gender based violence, challenging harmful social norms, and strengthening women’s leadership in peace, governance and sustainable development.
Emphasis
Where the organization concentrates its effort.
01
Preventing gender based violence
Prevention work, survivor centred response and referral of cases to law enforcement and judicial institutions.
02
Preventing sexual and gender based violence
Community education, safe reporting routes and sustained campaigning against the practices that enable abuse.
03
Protecting the rights of women and girls
Human rights education, legal literacy and protection work covering women, girls and children.
04
Women in decision making
Support for women’s participation in community development, governance, peace building and public life.
Public dialogue forum Human rights education session Community water point Women’s leadership training
How we work
Four approaches, applied together.
01
Capacity Building
Training, mentorship and practical skills that raise the standing and the income of women in Southwest State.
02
Advocacy and Public Awareness
Public campaigns, dialogue forums and media work that shift harmful norms and put women’s rights on the agenda.
03
Community Engagement
Programs designed with communities, so that ownership and results stay local long after a project ends.
04
Partnerships
Collaboration with United Nations agencies, government, civil society and the private sector to widen reach and strengthen capacity.
Standards
What we hold ourselves to.
- Local ownership
- Partnerships are built around priorities that communities have already identified, not around a template imported from elsewhere.
- Accountability
- Clear reporting, transparent financial management and evidence of results for every partner and every community served.
- Safeguarding
- Survivor centred practice, confidentiality and clear conduct standards apply to all staff, volunteers and partners.
Talk to the organization
For program enquiries, partnership proposals, media requests or safeguarding concerns, the team is reachable directly.