UN-backed gender violence hotline aims to help displaced Somalis

A UN-backed toll free hotline has been launched in Somalia for victims of gender violence among internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Dubbed Ceebla in Somali, the hotline 5555 is supported by UN agencies, including the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

It offers victims the required information about emergency medical services and how to lodge a complaint with police through the helpline.

UNSOM Human Rights Officer Abdinasir Moallin, speaking during the training on the use of the hotline, said the training aimed to sensitize IDPs on the services available.

"This training for IDPs from camps in Mogadishu on gender-based violence is meant to raise awareness and enhance their understanding," Moallin said in a statement issued on Thursday.

"We are also sharing with them information on services available for victims of gender-based violence, which includes domestic violence and rape," he added.

Sexual and gender-based violence is pervasive in Somalia with internally displaced women and girls being the most affected.

Local people say rape continues to be perpetrated by unknown armed men and "men wearing military uniform".

Cases of sexual and gender-based violence in Somalia also include domestic violence, harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, and early and forced marriage. The majority of the survivors are women aged 18 and above.

Human rights groups say many cases of rape go unreported because women fear reprisals and being stigmatized.

"Most cases of gender-based violence go unreported because of stigmatization. We are educating them on the need to break the silence because there is a lot of gender-based violence in our communities. Unfortunately, our society thinks gender-based violence is normal and not a crime," said a local humanitarian organization officer Fadwo Hassan Jimalle.

UN puts the number of internally displaced in Somalia at over one million. Endit