HARGEISA (SLpost) – The Director General of Somaliland’s Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family, Mohamed Abdi Haashi, on Sunday received a high-level delegation from the German development agency GIZ to discuss strengthening cooperation on programmes supporting women, children and vulnerable communities.
The meeting focused on expanding the long-standing partnership between the Ministry and GIZ, with particular emphasis on advancing women’s empowerment, improving social welfare services and reinforcing efforts to prevent gender-based violence and protect vulnerable groups.
Officials from both sides also reviewed their joint work plan for 2026–2027, agreeing to prioritize programmes aimed at enhancing social protection services, strengthening child protection initiatives and increasing support for women and other vulnerable members of society.
Director General Mohamed Abdi Haashi was joined by the Director of the Department of Family, Women and Children, the Director of the Planning Department, and the Ministry’s Coordinator for the Office of Advisors, who participated in discussions on the implementation of future joint programmes.
Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting, Haashi thanked GIZ for its continued technical and development support, emphasizing that sustained cooperation between the two institutions is essential to accelerating programmes that improve the lives of women, children and vulnerable communities across Somaliland.
The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family is the government institution responsible for labour administration, employment policy, social protection, family welfare, child protection and the promotion of gender equality in Somaliland. It leads national efforts to strengthen social welfare systems, protect vulnerable populations, and coordinate policies aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding access to essential social services.
The Ministry has increasingly worked with international development partners to implement programmes focused on social inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, child welfare, labour market development and institutional capacity-building. Its collaboration with GIZ forms part of broader efforts to enhance the effectiveness of social protection systems and promote inclusive and sustainable development throughout Somaliland.
The latest meeting reflects the Ministry’s continued engagement with development partners as it seeks to expand social services and implement priority programmes under its 2026–2027 development agenda.
About the Ministry
The Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Family of the Republic of Somaliland is a government institution responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing national policies, legislation, and programs relating to labor, employment, social protection, family welfare, occupational safety, disability inclusion, child protection, and community development.
The Ministry works to promote decent work, strengthen social protection systems, safeguard the rights and well-being of vulnerable groups, and support inclusive socio-economic development in accordance with the laws and policies of the Republic of Somaliland.
As part of its public service mandate, the Ministry collaborates with government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, employers, workers’ representatives, and local communities to improve employment opportunities, social welfare services, and labor standards throughout the country.
