Somalia : an assessment of SWDO, and of the social and economic status of women in the Lower Shebelle

The team found that in the agricultural sector, projects often focused only on women"s roles in marginal economic activities, rather than their central role in production. This same tendency was found in the commerce and small enterprise sectors, in credit programs, and in technical training. The assessment team suggested three major interventions. The first is to provide technical assistance to help SWDO: (1) focus on broad programs (rather than just projects); (2) serve as a link among all activities directed at women; (3) adopt a more grassroots, participatory structure; (4) improve internal management and informational capabilities; and (5) de-emphasize handicrafts as the prime income generating option for women. The second recommended intervention is to include women farmers in the upcoming A.I.D. Shebelle Water Management Project. The final recommendation is to increase women"s access to credit of all types, but especially to the UNDP/FAO inputs credit program at the Commercial and Savings Bank.