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

When considering how to engage and empower women for countering violent extremism, policy makers must understand the varied roles women play in this space.

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.

Over the years it has become very clear to me that a range of actors in Somali society want to sweep sexual and gender-based violence issues under the rug.