Following the downfall of President Siad Barre in 1991, a civil war broke out in Somalia between the factions. The internecine conflict has taken its heavy toll on all Somalis, but women in general face a disproportionate burden. With many men fleeing and abandoning their families, women have learned to fend for themselves after their husbands died. Regrettably, the tribal hostilities terminated male dominated jobs. During the clan and factional conflict, Somali women took up crucial roles generally allocated to men as breadwinners and protectors of their families.

Puntland’s new minister for women affairs and Family Development Anisa Abdulkadir Haji Mumin has today officially taken over office in a ceremony held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Garowe.

Former Minister Halimo Haji Hassan handed over to the new minister documents containing the recent developments achieved by the previous team of the ministry and pending plans.

While al-Shabaab loses ground and progress and development spread throughout Somalia, women are seeking a larger role in re-constructing the country.

They are helping rebuild Somalia in many fields, such as education, health, politics and even security. Out of the many Somali women leaders across the country, Sabahi profiled three women -- Asli Ismail Duale, Sadiya Abdisamad Abdullahi and Dunia Mohamed Ali -- who are using their knowledge to educate and heal the public, and promote gender equality.