Internship programme to empower women justice professionals in Somalia

July 26, 2026

Audience seated in a well-lit conference room for a seminar; front row in suits. — Participants at the launch of a new internship programme for aspiring women justice professionals.

Mogadishu, 22 July 2026

The Federal Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MOJCA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has launched an 11-month internship programme to equip 34 young Somali women with practical legal experience and professional skills to support the country’s justice sector reforms.

The initiative marks an important milestone in Somalia’s efforts to build a more inclusive, representative and people-centred justice system by expanding opportunities for women to pursue careers in legal and justice institutions.

The interns selected from across Somalia will be deployed at the federal and state level ministries of justice, courts and Attorney General Offices. Six interns will serve in federal institutions, while the remaining 28 will be placed in Jubaland, Southwest, Hirshabelle, Galmudug and Puntland FMS. Throughout the programme, they will receive practical, on-the-job training and mentorship in legal drafting, prosecution, judicial processes and public legal service.

The internship programme aims to strengthen women’s participation and professional advancement within Somalia’s justice sector by providing meaningful work experience, mentorship and institutional exposure. By investing in the next generation of legal professionals, the initiative contributes to building a more inclusive, gender-responsive and effective justice system that better serves the needs of all Somalis.

Audience seated in a conference hall; many women wearing colorful hijabs.

The interns underwent a five-day induction training designed to prepare them for their placements. The training covered key legal and professional competencies, as well as innovative approaches promoted under the Joint Justice and Corrections Programme (JJCP), including Nonviolent Communication (NVC), Generative Dialogue and other people-centred approaches that strengthen collaboration, conflict resolution and access to justice.

Photo: man in a suit delivering a speech at a podium, UN flag beside him, camera setup in front.

Addressin the event, UNDP’s Resident Representative, OIC, Dr. Christopher Laker said, “Justice reform is not only about institutions, laws, and strategies. It is also about people — capable, ethical, and committed professionals who serve the public with integrity. By investing in young women legal professionals, we are investing in a justice system that is more inclusive, more representative, and better able to respond to the needs of all Somalis.”

Woman speaking at a wooden podium with microphone during a conference, blue banners and screen behind.

“Around the world, justice systems are strongest when they reflect the diversity of the societies they serve. Increasing the participation of women in legal professions is not only a question of equality — it strengthens decision-making, broadens perspectives, and improves access to justice for all citizens,” said Caroline Adriaensen, Head of Cooperation, European Union Delegation to Somalia.

Muna Mohamed Farah, one of the interns at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and a graduate of the UNDP-supported legal scholarship programme, reflected on her journey:

“The support I have received through the Joint Justice Programme and now the Joint Justice and Corrections Programme has transformed my professional journey. As a scholarship graduate, I had the opportunity to contribute to consultations on the development of Somalia’s Justice Sector Strategy while volunteering with the Ministry. Today, I am proud to continue that journey as an intern. This opportunity will strengthen my practical skills, allow me to learn from experienced legal professionals and bring me closer to achieving my dream of becoming a legal drafter. I hope this programme continues to create opportunities for many more young women to contribute to Somalia’s justice sector.”

Notably, five of the newly selected interns are graduates of the legal scholarship programme supported under the previous Joint Justice Programme (2018–2021), demonstrating the long-term impact of sustained investment in women’s leadership and professional development within Somalia’s justice sector.

The internship programme reflects the Government’s commitment to increasing women’s representation within justice institutions and ensuring that young legal professionals have the practical experience needed to contribute to justice sector reform and improved service delivery across the country.

Group photo of students and staff outside a light-blue building with a purple banner.

The internship programme is implemented under the Joint Justice and Corrections Programme (JJCP) 2023–2027, a joint initiative of UNDP, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Transitional Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States. With a total budget of US$16.3 million, financed primarily by the European Union and the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the Somalia Joint Fund (SJF), the programme supports the development of a Somali-owned, people-centred justice and corrections system. It aims to strengthen public trust in justice institutions, promote integration between formal and community-based justice mechanisms, and improve equitable access to justice for women, young people, minority communities and other vulnerable groups across Somalia.