MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Being a young woman and entrepreneur in Somalia is no easy task, especially for those from disadvantaged families.
Yet, women like 24-year-old Hani Hassan Adan are defying the odds and carving their own paths to independence.
Hani, a high school graduate, owns a women’s beauty salon in the heart of Mogadishu, which she opened just a month ago.
Reflecting on her journey, she says: “After graduating from high school, I couldn’t afford university tuition fees. I also wanted to develop a skill and create something of my own. That’s why I decided to start this beauty salon.”
Hani employs six young women, many of whom are recent high school graduates. Together, they provide henna, hairdressing, makeup, and bridal beautification services.
Her journey, however, was not easy.
Hani began as an employee at another salon in the city, where she endured long hours and low wages.
“Working for someone else wasn’t easy. I faced many challenges, which motivated me to start my own salon. It took me three years to get here,” she told Kaab TV.
Hani hopes to inspire other young Somali women.
“You can achieve independence by learning a skill and building your future,” she says.
Breaking Cultural Norms
In Somalia, cultural expectations often restrict women’s roles in society. Many women remain unemployed, dependent on their parents, or are pushed into early marriages due to economic pressures.
Despite these challenges, Hani and her team are breaking barriers. Through their work, they not only celebrate women’s beauty but also challenge societal norms by showing that women can be independent, both financially and in their personal choices.
One of Hani’s employees, Hamdi Abdisamad, takes pride in her role as a beauty professional.
“I specialize in henna, makeup, and hair design—services that many women in our community need,” Hamdi told Kaab TV.
Hamdi and her colleagues also mentor young interns, teaching them skills like henna application.
“To the women still at home, I say: you can achieve so much by learning new skills. We are here to help you reach your ambitions,” Hamdi says.
Somalia remains a patriarchal society where women face significant gender-based discrimination and violence.
The country ranks near the bottom of the UNDP Gender Inequality Index, and women’s labor force participation is only 21.2%, compared to 47.3% for men.
Hamdi highlights another challenge: the risk of sexual harassment when women seek employment both in the public and private sector.
“In this era, you don’t need to depend on someone else to give you a job and risk abuse. You can create your own opportunities by learning the skills you need to grow and earn an income,” she says.
Women make up only 24% of civil servants in Somalia, and the unemployment rate for women is 27%, compared to 18% for men, according to the Somalia National Bureau of Statistics.
These disparities underline the importance of initiatives like Hani and Hamdi’s, which empower women to overcome societal barriers.
Hani and her team are not just running a salon—they are creating a movement for change. They are living proof that young Somali women can rise above challenges, chart their own paths, and become agents of their own destiny.