On September 30, 2026, Djibouti's Minister of Women and Family, Hana Farah Assoweh, visited the Centre d’action sociale pour l’autonomisation des femmes (CASAF) in Balbala. She was accompanied by Fatouma Moussa Abdi, Secretary General of the Union nationale des femmes djiboutiennes (UNFD). The minister met with women from the commune, including Mariam Mahamoud Doubad, president of the commune's women leaders, and Mariam Moussa Ali, vice-president of the women leaders and president of the RPP annex in Wahlé Daba.
The meeting was attended by Mohamed Hassan Said, president of the Balbala commune, and several other officials and representatives of women from different neighborhoods. The participants were greeted on behalf of Kadra Mahamoud Haïd, First Lady of the Republic and president of the UNFD. The minister emphasized the importance of direct dialogue with the women, listening to their concerns, initiatives, and expectations. This approach allows the ministry to better understand the realities faced by families and improve the flow of information between institutional leaders, local authorities, and women's structures.
The discussions focused on activities carried out during the past period, initiatives in favor of women, and possibilities for strengthening their participation in social and community actions. The women leaders play a crucial role in this dynamic, serving as a relay between communities and institutions through their work in mobilization, awareness-raising, and proximity. The minister recalled the missions of her department and the need to continue efforts in favor of women and families.
Fatouma Moussa Abdi addressed several questions related to current events and the regional situation, including the evolution of the situation in Yemen. The exchanges made it possible to share information on regional issues likely to have repercussions on populations and to recall the importance of dialogue and coordination in the face of changes in the regional environment. The participants also insisted on the need to maintain a collective dynamic associating institutions, local authorities, women's organizations, and community leaders.
The meeting in Balbala made it possible to bring institutional leaders closer to local realities and highlighted the importance of coordination between the ministry, the UNFD, communal authorities, and women's representatives. The strong participation of women testifies to the interest shown in questions relating to women and the family, as well as their desire to contribute to community initiatives. The participants reaffirmed their availability to continue their commitment to actions in favor of women, families, and the community.
The minister and the Secretary General of the UNFD were thanked for their listening and availability. This meeting is part of a proximity approach based on listening, consultation, and participation, with the objective of maintaining regular dialogue between institutions and women in Balbala. The discussions allowed the participants to share their concerns, experiences, and expectations directly.
The meeting demonstrated the government's commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of women in Djibouti. Key points from the meeting include:
Key points
- The minister's visit to Balbala aimed to strengthen collaboration with local structures and listen to women's concerns.
- The meeting highlighted the importance of coordination between institutions, local authorities, and women's organizations.
- The participants emphasized the need to maintain a collective dynamic to address regional challenges and promote women's empowerment.
