Shukri Mohamed Abdi
I want to highlight the problems women face in my region — especially in terms of political representation.
Shukri Mohamed Abdi comes from Baidoa, the regional capital of South-West state. From an early age she noticed that women in the region were not treated as equals to men — and she decided to dedicate her life to fighting for their rights.
She finished school in 2019 and went straight into journalism, reporting while studying for her degree. She has worked as a technician and reporter at Radio Baidoa, and as a producer at South-West state radio and television.
The decision to become a journalist brought many challenges.
"I come from a rural clan which does not want any of its members to become journalists, especially young women. We come from the bush, where the concept of being a journalist does not exist."
People from her clan, she says, do not understand what the job involves — and insult and threaten her because of it. Like other journalists in Somalia, she also faces threats from militant groups. None of it has stopped her.
"Even though I am young, I am ready to leave my family in Baidoa and move to Mogadishu to work for Bilan. I want to highlight the problems women face in my region, especially in terms of political representation."
Shukri has already made a difference in South-West state. Noticing that not a single woman held a Director's position in the administration, she decided to raise the issue in the media — organising a talk show and inviting people in powerful positions to take part in the debate. Shortly afterwards, a woman was appointed as a Director.
Her journey, so far
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Baidoa
Grows up in the regional capital of South-West state, where she first sees how unequally women are treated.
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A calling
Decides, still young, to dedicate her life to fighting for women's rights.
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2019
Finishes school and goes straight into journalism while studying for her degree.
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On air
Works as a technician and reporter at Radio Baidoa, and a producer at South-West state radio and TV.
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Standing firm
Faces insults and threats — from her own clan and from militant groups — and keeps reporting.
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Real change
Organises a talk show on the absence of women Directors in the administration — and soon after, one is appointed.
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At Bilan
Ready to leave Baidoa for Mogadishu to join Bilan Media and amplify women's voices from her region.
"I come from the bush, where the concept of being a journalist does not exist — but I want to highlight the problems women face in my region." Shukri Mohamed Abdi — Reporter, Bilan Media
Journalism that puts women in the room
Shukri does not only report on change — she creates it. When she saw that not a single woman held a Director's post in South-West state's administration, she turned a talk show into a public reckoning, and a woman was appointed soon after. Facing opposition from her own rural clan and threats from armed groups, she remains determined to leave home for Mogadishu and use Bilan's platform to fight for women's political representation across her region.
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