A national platform at Somali National University dedicated to strengthening women’s leadership in Somalia’s post-conflict recovery and sustainable development developing educated, ethical, and inclusive women leaders through training, mentorship, research, and policy engagement.
Established in January 2026, the CWL is Somali National University’s dedicated national platform for strengthening women’s leadership in Somalia’s post-conflict recovery and sustainable development. Based at the country’s only public higher education institution, the Center develops educated, ethical, and inclusive women leaders through three integrated core functions leadership development, governance and public policy, and entrepreneurship and economic empowerment combining leadership training, mentorship, research, and policy engagement. It advances national priorities under the National Transformation Plan and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030, particularly gender equality, quality education, peace, and strong institutions.
Based at Somali National University, the CWL bridges academia and practice, local knowledge and global frameworks making its leadership training, mentorship, research, and enterprise support accessible to women across public institutions, higher education, markets, and community systems, with no one left behind.
The Center shifts the model from training to leadership ecosystems, from participation to decision-making, from beneficiaries to change agents, and from projects to institutions translating women's leadership capacity into meaningful governance participation, sustainable livelihoods, and lasting national ownership.
Develop a sustained pipeline of educated, ethical, and inclusive women leaders equipped to operate effectively across public institutions, higher education, markets, and community systems in Somalia's fragile and post-conflict context.
Advance women's meaningful participation and influence in governance and policy processes at the FGS, FMS, BRA, and local levels, equipping women leaders with knowledge of governance systems, public administration, legislative processes, and ethical decision-making.
Translate women's leadership capacity into sustainable livelihoods, enterprise growth, and job creation through enterprise incubation, coaching, national and diaspora mentorship, and market linkages to business networks, cooperatives, financial institutions, and value chains.
Strengthen ethical, inclusive, and conflict-sensitive leadership capacities among women through structured training, mentorship, and technical assistance across public, academic, and civil society sectors.
Build strong partnerships with government, academia, civil society, the private sector, and the Somali diaspora, and promote public dialogue that positions women as central to peace, resilience, and inclusive national development.