Hibo Abdi, a psychosocial counselor at the UNICEF-supported women and girls’ safe space in Bardheere, Gedo, is proud of her work. She has been deeply involved in addressing the mental health needs of women and girls. She joined NoFYL in 2023, taking the role of psychosocial counselor at the UNICEF-supported Women and Girl’s Safe Space and GBV One-Stop Center in Bardheere.
“These are challenging times for women and girls. For many, each day is a relentless battle for survival that exacts a heavy toll on their mental health. The joy that you experience helping a person on the brink of despair uplifts you as well. I feel useful using my skills to support them. I love my job. That’s why I do it with a lot of passion.”
In Somalia, humanitarian crises produce psychological suffering and trauma that threaten the health and well-being of affected people, especially women and girls. Years of war, poverty and gender-based violence have taken a serious toll on the mental health of many women and girls in Somalia. The climate change compounded the erosion of protection mechanisms and increased the vulnerability of women and girls to gender-based violence and harmful practices like child marriage. Mental health needs are serous, yet often overlooked – with staggering consequences. In Somalia’s tight-knit society, there is a misconception that mental health and psychological support is solely reserved for those dealing with severe conditions, leading many to hesitate to seek help when they most need it.
Throughout her career, Hibo has encountered many people in need of mental health support, but she believes that displaced women and girls are particularly vulnerable, grappling with mental distress. Together with her team, she provides a wide range of services, including one-on-one counselling, individual & group psychosocial sessions, psychoeducation, group discussions, and other psychosocial activities. These teams are instrumental in delivering vital mental health and psychosocial support to displaced women and girls.
“The displacement and deteriorating living conditions have significantly exacerbated the mental health status of many women we encounter,” Hibo explains. “Many come to us in critical stages, having exhausted almost all available resources and facing dire setbacks. It’s crucial that we stand by them during this time.”
What struck her the most was the suffering she witnessed among women survivors she attends to everyday. “Sometimes, the scars are not visible from the outside. The battle may be within. I may never know their pain. I wish I had a magic wand so that I could wave it and make all the problems facing women disappear,” said Hibo.
Ikran* has experienced these stresses first-hand. At just 18 years old, Ikran* had expected to be overwhelmed with the excitement of her new marriage with the man he loved. Instead, she is consumed with anxiety for her future. The abuse began subtly, with her husband abusing and demeaning her, which gradually escalated to physical violence. He beat her severely, leaving her bruised and terrified.
“Ikran called our GBV hotline in a miserable condition,” described Hibo. “She was overwhelmed with worry for herself and tormented by the thoughts of killing herself.” Hibo shares.
“Between the physical & psychological suffering, she didn’t want to live anymore. She found herself only seeing the negative side of things,” Hibo reflects. Emotional distress gradually crept into Ikran’s life, leading to her to sever connections with others, and lose interest in daily routines. Confronted with this situation, she felt a profound sense of helplessness, each passing day darker than the last. With her anxiety and stress levels soaring, Ikran decided to flee to her parents, but they kept sending her back to her husband, who promised to change. However, the devastating cycle of abuse continued. It left her in a state of depression so deep that, for the first time, she had difficulty eating and sleeping.
Hibo received her at the safe space with open arms, offering a safe and non-judgmental space to heal. Amid her ordeal, Ikran found solace at NoFYL’s women and girl’s safe space in Bardheere, a sanctuary for women facing similar struggles. NoFYL facilitated individual counseling, support groups and medical assistance for her.
Recovery did not come easy for Ikran. She was not convinced the psychosocial support and medical assistance would help, and she did not improve much in the beginning. She found it difficult to trust people at the safe space to talk about her ordeal. But her counsellors, led by Hibo, were dedicated. Slowly, but surely Ikran began to glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel. After attending multiple psychosocial sessions, she spoke out openly and experienced significant improvements.
“I became less worried and felt more capable and confident,” Ikran said. “There was a huge difference in the way I was treated when I came to the safe space. Also hearing stories of women who were going through similar situations made me realize I was not alone. It changed my mind a lot,” – Ikran explains how the support group at the safe space rekindled her sense of hope.
In all, Ikran received more than a dozen psychosocial support sessions that helped her overcome her stress and trauma. She hasn’t stopped attending the sessions at the women and girl’s safe space. “When you lose all hope and the will to live, then suddenly relief comes to you… This is how the psychosocial support by NoFYL saved me, and I am finally free from abuse and exhaustion,” said Ikran.
“My only wish is for this service to continue to grow and expand and be available to every woman and girls,” said Hibo. “Cases are increasing daily.”
NoFYL leads gender-based violence services in Gedo, ensuring survivors can access protection and support services, medical assistance, dignity kits, and psychosocial care where available. In the last 11 months, NoFYL has reached over 10,000 people with psychosocial support services through the hotline and in person at the Women and Girl’s Safe Spaces and One-Stop Centers established with support from UNICEF.
*Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality
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