Somalia’s Female Planners and Engineers Are the Backbone of the Urban Economy
Get real time updates directly on you device, subscribe now.
Somalia is experiencing a construction boom, particularly in cities like Mogadishu, Garowe, and Kismayo, as the country rebuilds from decades of conflict. But this transformation is about more than bricks and buildings it’s also about breaking gender barriers. Across the nation, women are taking central roles in the construction industry, a field long dominated by men. From engineers and architects to welders and site supervisors, Somali women are defying cultural expectations and helping shape the country’s physical and social future.
One of the most visible faces of this movement is Faduma Mohamed Ali, a 22-year-old civil engineer based in Mogadishu. Despite being the only woman in her university engineering class and facing criticism from her extended family, she pursued her dream. Today, she supervises construction sites and leads teams of male workers.
“They said it was a waste of time for a girl to study engineering,” she recalls. “But I kept going, and now I’m building real projects that are helping my community.”
Another inspiring figure is Fathi Mohamed Abdi, who also entered the construction sector in her early twenties. Her family, once skeptical, now supports her career. “They even wake me up if I oversleep, so I don’t miss work,” she laughs. Fathi, like many other women in the field, has faced sexist attitudes from male colleagues, but she remains motivated by the progress women are making and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
The rise of women in Somalia’s construction sector isn’t happening in isolation. It’s supported by a range of development programs and educational initiatives. One such effort is Project Rajo, launched by UN-Habitat in partnership with Somali authorities. The project offers vocational training in construction, plumbing, welding, and masonry to young people in urban areas, with a focus on empowering women. In 2019, over 60% of job placements from the program went to women, and many of them have gone on to work in active construction projects across Somalia.
The shift is also being felt in government institutions. In Mogadishu, the local administration actively encourages women’s participation in urban planning and infrastructure development. Female engineers are now employed in city planning departments, and some hold senior roles as project managers and deputy directors. Deputy Mayor Hassan Mohamed Jimale has publicly supported the inclusion of women in construction, calling it essential to rebuilding a more inclusive and resilient Somalia.
Educational institutions are playing a key role as well. Polytechnics and vocational schools in cities like Bardera are enrolling increasing numbers of women in engineering, electrical work, welding, and carpentry programs. These training centers are equipping women with the technical skills needed to succeed in both private sector jobs and public infrastructure projects.
Despite these advances, challenges remain. Many women in construction still earn less than their male counterparts and face discrimination on the job. Cultural attitudes remain deeply rooted in some areas, where construction is still viewed as “men’s work.” Safety and access to tools and materials can also be limited for female workers, particularly in remote areas or in conflict-prone regions.
However, these obstacles haven’t stopped Somalia’s new generation of female builders. They’re not only constructing homes, roads, and office buildings, they’re also building a new narrative for Somali women. Through their presence and leadership, they are reshaping social norms and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
As Somalia’s skyline changes and its infrastructure improves, one thing is clear: the future is being built by the hands of women just as much as by men. From the concrete foundations of Mogadishu to the vocational classrooms of Bardera, Somali women are proving that the construction industry is not just a site of economic development but also of empowerment, transformation, and resilience.
