Bilan, Somalia’s only all-women news team, has won the 2024 One World Media Press Freedom Award, marking the first time a Somali media team has received this prestigious honor. The award recognizes Bilan’s courageous and groundbreaking reporting over the past two years.
“We are delighted to have our work recognized in this way,” said Hinda Abdi Mohamud, Bilan’s chief editor. “We hope that having an all-women news team winning an award like this will change attitudes in Somalia and open up more opportunities for women in the media and professional jobs.”
Bilan was established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2021 and has been funded by the European Union since 2024. The team has become a beacon of journalistic integrity and courage in Somalia, one of the world’s most dangerous countries for reporters.
“The Bilan team is forging new connections with local communities, shedding new light on neglected issues, and courageously reporting to inform, educate, and engage the public,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner. “By telling these essential stories of Somalia and upholding a commitment to the truth, they demonstrate how women must be able to play their part in writing a new narrative for the country.”
Bilan’s editorial independence has allowed them to report on various critical issues. Their stories have addressed discrimination against albino communities, the struggles of HIV-positive Somalis, the abuse of female orphans, the challenges faced by schools for autistic children and teachers, and the rising opiate use among women in Mogadishu. They have also highlighted the achievements of women in politics, business, and other traditionally male-dominated fields.
“This award is a powerful recognition of the Bilan team’s impressive work,” said Karin Johannson, Ambassador of the European Union to Somalia. “Their inspiring stories show the world how Somalia is emerging from a troubled past and moving towards a bright future.”
Bilan’s reports reach millions within Somalia through the radio, TV, and social media channels of Dalsan Media Group, which hosts Bilan in its Mogadishu offices. Internationally, their work appears regularly in outlets such as the Guardian, BBC, and El País, proving that Somali women journalists can compete at the highest levels despite facing discrimination and threats of violence.
