Challenges for Diaspora Women to Rebuild Their Homeland: The Case of Somalia

Abstract

Through financial and nonfinancial remittances such as intellectual capital, social capital, advocacy, political capital and voluntarism, diaspora women provide lifelines for their families and support to community development in their homelands. However, their contributions in humanitarian and development actions are poorly documented and reported, and their potential has not been fully harnessed. This country report describes the case of Somali women diaspora and their role in rebuilding Somalia. The report outlines recent migration movements in Somalia, before describing the different profiles of Somali diaspora women returning to Somalia, and their motivation to engage in the rebuilding of their home country. Based on interviews with Somali diaspora women and members of relevant Somali ministries and governmental bodies, the author describes the challenges for Somali diaspora women to leverage their engagements in Somalia, and the changes needed to enhance the impact of their contributions.