Avatar photo

Neil Wigan

British Ambassador to Somalia

10th December 2014 Mogadishu, Somalia

Avatar photo

by Neil Wigan

British Ambassador to Somalia

Women Empowerment: Key in Promoting Development in Somalia

Guest blog by Phil Evans, Head of DFID in Somalia. When I say I work in Somalia, I get a mixed reaction. Many people’s impressions of Somalia are shaped only by its representation in Hollywood films as a hideaway for pirates and extremists. While colleagues admit my work must be fascinating, friends and family often […]

Read more on Women Empowerment: Key in Promoting Development in Somalia | Reply

10th December 2014 Mogadishu, Somalia

Avatar photo

by Neil Wigan

British Ambassador to Somalia

Human Rights Day

Back in September 2013, the UK and the Federal Government of Somalia co-authored a Human Rights Day Resolution at the UN Human Rights Council. It seems appropriate, on Human Rights day, to look back on what has happened since then. The human rights situation in Somalia remains of grave concern. But we have seen substantial […]

Read more on Human Rights Day | Reply

25th November 2014 Mogadishu, Somalia

Avatar photo

by Neil Wigan

British Ambassador to Somalia

International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women – 25 November 2014

Today we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and start 16 days of activism to end gender violence. Living and working in Somalia, I see firsthand how desperately important this issue is. Many women in Somalia lead hard lives. Girls and women suffer disproportionately from conflict and poverty. One in […]

Read more on International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women – 25 November 2014 | Reply

10th December 2013 Mogadishu, Somalia

Avatar photo

by Neil Wigan

British Ambassador to Somalia

Furthering our support to prevent sexual violence

Today marks International Human Rights Day. The UN General Assembly proclaimed 10 December as Human Rights Day in 1950, to bring attention to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations. This is something we continue to wholeheartedly endorse, and strive to achieve. Today is […]

Read more on Furthering our support to prevent sexual violence | Reply (11)

6th December 2013 Mogadishu, Somalia

Avatar photo

by Neil Wigan

British Ambassador to Somalia

Empowering women to take control

As part of our support to the 16 days of activism campaign, I have invited some our partners to share their stories. The Health Consortium is made up of a partnership between health authorities and Population Services International (PSI), Tropical Health Education Trust (THET), Health Poverty Action, Save the Children UK, and Trocaire. From 2010 […]

Read more on Empowering women to take control | Reply

2nd December 2013 Mogadishu, Somalia

Avatar photo

by Neil Wigan

British Ambassador to Somalia

Giving hope to the poor and the vulnerable

As part of our support to the 16 days of activism campaign, I have invited some of our partners to share their stories. Abdisalan Buthul Shurie is a Programme Advisor at the Somali Aid Foundation (SAF).  The organisation provides support to communities in Lower Juba across a range of issues including health, hygiene, and gender-based […]

Read more on Giving hope to the poor and the vulnerable | Reply (3)

29th November 2013 Mogadishu, Somalia

Avatar photo

by Neil Wigan

British Ambassador to Somalia

Creating hope for victims of gender based violence

As part of our support to the 16 days of activism campaign, I have invited some of our partners to share their stories. Sagal Sheikh-Ali is a program Coordinator at the Somali Women Development Center (SWDC).  The organisation strives to minimise the number of women who are subjected to violence by empowering them through access […]

Read more on Creating hope for victims of gender based violence | Reply

27th November 2013 Mogadishu, Somalia

Avatar photo

by Neil Wigan

British Ambassador to Somalia

16 days of activism

I’d like to welcome you to my first blog as the UK Ambassador to Somalia.  I have spent my first six months learning about this wonderful country and travelling to as many places as I can. As this week marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, I thought it was a perfect […]

Read more on 16 days of activism | Reply