The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched Bilan, an all-female media unit based in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, to combat stereotypes and challenges surrounding female journalists in the country.

According to the UNDP, the unit is aimed at “providing a space where women media professionals can work with real decision-making authority and free from harassment”.

Bilan, meaning bright and clear in Somali, will be made up of six female team members who are fully independent in their editorial decision making.

The stories they choose to tell will be aired on TV, radio, print and online by one of Somalia’s leading media houses, Dalsan Media Group, and international media houses as well.

“For too long, Somali women journalists have been treated as second-class citizens and Somali news has ignored the stories and voices of half the population; now we are in charge of the boardroom and the narrative,” said Nasrin Mohamed Ibraham, Bilan’s chief editor who has worked as a journalist for 12 years and is a founding member of the Somali Women Journalist Organisation.

BBC Africa reports that a recent survey found that Somali women journalists faced harassment not just when conducting field work, but also in offices by their male counterparts.

They also reported being denied training opportunities, promotions and belittled even when they did reach a position of power.

The one-year pilot programme, which seeks to change the attitude of male journalists on harassment of their female counterparts, is set to begin Monday, April 11th 2022.