When considering how to engage and empower women for countering violent extremism, policy makers must understand the varied roles women play in this … - Ilwad Elman

It's encouraging to see that women are fighting against so many different barriers to participate because they know what their participation means for other girls that are marginalised.

Women human rights defenders in Somalia are reprised against, threatened, unlawfully arrested, privy to sexual and gender-based violence, kidnapped and even killed as a result of their work.

And with more and more women present in these spaces, it is creating an atmosphere and acceptance for more to join as well.