Climate change means droughts in Somalia are deeper and more frequent, forcing people to abandon their homes, but a new start can mean new opportunities for children able to attend school for the first time.
Across Somaliland, Girls Empowerment Clubs are helping adolescent schoolgirls negotiate social challenges, manage changing emotions, and communicate confidently with their families and communities.
In a country where three out of five children are not in school, girls and children with disabilities are gradually finding the support they need to thrive in education.
14-year-old Ayan will be going into grade 6 this year – but just two years ago she wasn’t even in school. The UNdaunted program in Somalia supports adolescent students with disabilities, like Ayan, to get an education.
In partnership with the Government of Canada, UNICEF Canada supports the education of girls with disabilities in 65 schools in Somaliland through the UNDaunted program.
Safia Ibrahim contracted polio when she was a child living in Somalia. Although it dramatically changed her life, Safia has used her experiences to become a leading voice for vaccine advocacy, as well as the rights of children with disabilities.
Safia Ibrahim is a 37 year old Somali-born Canadian. When she was 1 years old, she contracted polio that rendered her unable to walk. For World Polio Day, Safia spoke with UNICEF Canada about the choice she never got to make but one that has impacted her entire life.
