Advancing gender equality in Somalia:
UNDP receives Silver Gender Seal Certificate
In 2024, UNDP Somalia proudly joins 66 other Country Offices across the world receiving the Silver Gender Seal Certificate for promoting gender equality during 2021–2023 in Somalia. The Gender Equality Seal is a global certification program for public and private enterprises supported by UNDP. It recognizes offices and institutions, both within and outside UNDP, for their contribution to gender equality based on independent assessment.
The Silver certification awarded to UNDP Somalia officially recognizes its achievement of gender equality in the workplace, business practices and development results. It acknowledges UNDP Somalia’s dedication to equity through initiatives, policies, and achievements.
The Silver Seal highlights the impact of collective action and leadership, while emphasizing the need to avoid any complacency for a higher degree of equality to ultimately achieve the Gold Seal. UNDP underscores the significance of gender equality in fostering inclusive development.
“I am honored to be part of UNDP Somalia’s commitment to advancing gender equality through our active participation in the Gender Equality Seal. This initiative is inspiring excellence in the CO and reflects our steadfast dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace that empowers all individuals, regardless of gender. The Gender Seal not only signifies our achievements but serves as a testament to our ongoing efforts to create a more equitable and supportive environment for all”. — Lionel Laurens, Resident Representative, UNDP Somalia
“I am proud to lead and contribute to UNDP Somalia’s journey towards gender equality through our active engagement in the Gender Seal. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to fostering gender equality and inclusivity at every level. Gender Equality is an integral part of our organizational DNA, and Gender Seal empowers us to go beyond rhetoric and actively integrate gender equality into our daily operations.
By participating in the Gender Seal program, we are not just making a statement; we are forging a path toward a future where equality is not just an aspiration but a lived reality. It symbolizes our continuous efforts to instill gender-responsive practices and principles into the core of our programs and operations. Together, we are shaping a more equitable and empowered future for all.” — Sophie Kemkhadze, Deputy Resident Representative — Programme, UNDP Somalia
“I am delighted to be part of UNDP Somalia’s commitment to gender equality, exemplified through our active involvement in the Gender Seal. The Gender Seal signifies our ongoing journey toward embedding gender equality at the heart of our operations, especially Human Resources, and Procurement, creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best”. — Jelena Raketic, Deputy Resident Representative (Operations), UNDP Somalia
As the Gender Specialist leading the Gender Task Team at UNDP Somalia, I am thrilled to be actively contributing to our organization’s journey toward gender equality through our commitment to the Gender Seal program. This initiative underscores our collective efforts to integrate gender-responsive practices not only within our programs and operations but at the very core of our institutional culture.
I view the Gender Seal as inspiring for our team and as transformative for the CO., it is like the doctor’s diagnostic to strengthen and shape the CO’s management, capacities, enabling environment, programmes and projects, communication and knowledge management, and partnerships to achieve results and impacts. — Maha Abusamra, Gender Specialist, UNDP Somalia
“As a member of UNDP Somalia’s gender task team, participating in the Gender Equality Seal was a transformative experience. It provided a dynamic platform for sharing knowledge across all UNDP portfolios, fostering interactive discussions on various topics, including communication-related activities, and sparking innovative ideas. We utilized tools to track the gender responsiveness of our social media posts, empowering us to make meaningful strides towards gender equality.” — Ilyas Abukar, Communications Analyst, UNDP Somalia.
What is Gender Equality Seal?
The UNDP Gender Equality Seal for Development is a certification programme that serves as a learning platform for development organizations to integrate gender equality into all the work they do and address deeply rooted gender inequalities. Our programme incentivizes and recognizes the success of gender equality initiatives globally to transform lives.
Theory of Change: The Gender Seal takes a comprehensive approach to boost development impact by aligning efforts for gender equality. We focus on seven key areas: Management Systems, Capacities, Enabling Environment, Knowledge Management and Communications, Programmes/Projects, Partnerships, and Results/Impact. The standards from the seven key areas -aligned to the organization’s policies and global trends- guide Seal assessments, helping us to evaluate how each office or unit contributes to gender equality goals. This holistic assessment tracks results at three levels: within the organization itself (including policies and people), the organization’s projects, and the development impact within the local or national context, considering socio-political factors affecting gender equality.