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KISMAYO – The Lower Juba Regional Police Command concluded a three-day community dialogue and awareness workshop in Kismayo focused on strengthening the protection of women and children, preventing violations, and enhancing cooperation between security institutions and local communities, as part of Jubaland’s efforts to build a safer and more stable environment based on partnership and shared responsibility.
The workshop, held at the main police centre in Kismayo, brought together representatives from the Lower Juba Regional Police Command and the Police Unit for Combating Violations Against Women and Children, alongside the Chairperson of the Youth Council, representatives of youth organizations, members of the Child Protection Committee and various community groups. Participants discussed the importance of unifying efforts between security institutions and communities to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms addressing violence and violations affecting vulnerable groups.
The dialogue sessions addressed key challenges facing efforts to combat violations against women and children, while exploring practical measures to reduce the spread of such incidents, enhance early reporting mechanisms and support victims. Discussions also focused on strengthening the relationship between police and citizens, recognizing trust and community cooperation as essential elements for the success of security and human rights programmes and for achieving more effective and sustainable outcomes.
Participants emphasized that protecting women and children is a shared responsibility that cannot be achieved through security measures alone, but requires a comprehensive approach combining community awareness, promotion of respect for rights, and stronger involvement of civil and youth institutions in prevention and response efforts. They highlighted the importance of continuing such initiatives, which provide opportunities for dialogue, exchange of experiences and strengthening trust between security institutions and local communities.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants issued recommendations aimed at strengthening police-community partnerships, improving prevention mechanisms and enhancing coordination among institutions responsible for protecting women and children. They also stressed the importance of continuing awareness programmes targeting all segments of society, particularly youth, as active partners in promoting a culture of peace, community protection and respect for individual rights.
First Lieutenant Dahaba Mubarak emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation between security institutions and communities in addressing violations, noting that protecting women and children is a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of all members of society. She called on citizens to report any practices threatening the safety of women and children and to cooperate with police to ensure rights protection and facilitate victims’ access to necessary support and services.
The Lower Juba Police Command stated that these activities are part of Jubaland’s efforts to strengthen the concept of community policing and develop approaches to addressing security and social issues, contributing to building greater trust between police and residents. It stressed that modern security work is not limited to responding to crimes after they occur, but also depends on prevention, awareness-raising, promoting community responsibility and addressing factors that may contribute to violations.
Jubaland is placing increasing attention on strengthening the protection of women and children and promoting community security principles, recognizing that protecting vulnerable groups from violations is a fundamental part of building institutions that respond effectively to citizens’ needs and reinforce the rule of law.
In recent years, Somalia has expanded community policing initiatives and established specialized units within security institutions to address gender-based violence and child protection issues, in cooperation with civil society organizations and international partners. These efforts are particularly important in areas affected by conflict and security challenges, where trust between citizens and security institutions remains a key foundation for sustainable stability. In this context, Jubaland continues to develop its capacities and strengthen community partnerships to build a more effective protection system and ensure a safe environment that preserves human dignity and safeguards the rights of women and children, supporting peace and development across the region and Somalia as a whole.
