Woman human rights defender Shadia Cabdi forced into exile
On 27 September 2022, Shadia Cabdi, a Somali woman human rights defender, was compelled to flee her home in Hiiraan, Somalia, following an attack on her domicile by armed extremists on 30 June 2022. This attack was preceded by threats and a period of ongoing violence, which ultimately led to her exile.
Shadia Cabdi is a woman human rights defender who has dedicated her life to combating two significant issues in Somalia: female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage. She has worked tirelessly with grassroots organisations and through platforms such as Horn Afrik News Agency for Human Rights (HANAHR) and as a regional focal point for the Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD) to raise awareness and protect marginalised communities. Her human rights work and advocacy has focused on empowering women and educating communities about the dangers of FGM, particularly in rural areas such as Shabelow village in Hiiraan. Her campaigns have challenged entrenched cultural norms and brought critical change to some of Somalia's most affected regions. Reports from human rights organisations have confirmed that she and her family were under constant threat of violence.
On 27 September 2022, Shadia Cabdi, a Somali woman human rights defender, was compelled to flee her home in Hiiraan, Somalia, following an attack on her domicile by armed extremists on 30 June 2022. This attack was preceded by threats and a period of ongoing violence, which ultimately led to her exile.
Shadia Cabdi is a woman human rights defender who has dedicated her life to combating two significant issues in Somalia: female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage. She has worked tirelessly with grassroots organisations and through platforms such as Horn Afrik News Agency for Human Rights (HANAHR) and as a regional focal point for the Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders (CSHRD) to raise awareness and protect marginalised communities. Her human rights work and advocacy has focused on empowering women and educating communities about the dangers of FGM, particularly in rural areas such as Shabelow village in Hiiraan. Her campaigns have challenged entrenched cultural norms and brought critical change to some of Somalia's most affected regions. Reports from human rights organisations have confirmed that she and her family were under constant threat of violence.
Shadia Cabdi's work as a human rights defender represents a direct opposition to powerful cultural norms, and as a result she has attracted the attention of extremist militias. The latter utilise patriarchal traditions to maintain control over local populations. Between the months of January 2020 and September 2022, armed groups began to harass the human rights defender. They issued warnings that she should cease her human rights work or face dire consequences.
On 21 June 2021, the threats escalated to a violent attack on Shadia Cabdi's home, in which armed men forced their way into her residence, prompting her to flee with only a small piece of luggage containing her clothes. Despite being forced into exile, Shadia Cabdi continues her human rights work, leveraging international platforms to draw attention to the plight of Somali women and girls.
Front Line Defenders strongly condemns the violent persecution of Shadia Cabdi, which constitutes a direct attack on her legitimate human rights work. The organisation believes these actions are part of a broader effort by extremist groups to silence those advocating for justice and equality in Somalia.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Somalia to:
- Ensure the immediate safety and protection of Shadia Cabdi and her family;
- Guarantee that women’s rights defenders in Somalia can carry out their legitimate human rights work without fear or reprisals and free from all restrictions.
