Internship programme starts at Somalia's first all-women media team

Bilan's internship programme kicked off this week, welcoming two interns from Mogadishu University and Somalia National University. Chosen from among the best students and recent graduates at the journalism faculties of both institutions, Aamino Nor Hussein and Fatima Adam Rage, will have the chance to work part time for six months at the Bilan offices, producing stories with Bilan's team of journalists and joining masterclasses and other training opportunities.

Launched in April 2022, Bilan is Somalia's first all-women media team. Staffed and run entirely by women with full editorial independence, the unit covers hard news and in-depth features, holding leaders to account and making sure women’s stories and voices are heard. Bilan is funded and supported by UNDP and hosted by Dalsan Media Group at offices in Mogadishu.

 In its first four months of operation, Bilan has taken the Somali media scene by storm. Bilan's stories are broadcast on Dalsan TV and Dalsan Radio twice a week and have been seen by more than 3m people online via Dalsan, UNDP and Bilan's own websites and social media channels. Some of the biggest names in international media have provide masterclasses, including the BBC's Mishal Husain, ITV's Rageh Omar, Channel 4's Lindsey Hilsum and Abdi Latif Dahir of the New York Times. Bilan has also established content partnerships with the Guardian, BBC , El Pais and Missing Perspectives, bringing Somali women's journalism to the world.

 Bilan's coverage has helped shine a light on issues that have long been ignored, from the growing problem of drug use among women in Mogadishu, to child marriage and the resilience of women farmers finding a way to pay their way through university. Story by story, Bilan is making sure that issue of importance to women are put before decision makers and the wider public. We look forward to seeing what new stories Aamino and Fatima bring to the screens as they take their first steps into professional journalism.

Fatima Adam Rage

 “I decided to study journalism at university because Somalia needs more professional media workers. I am excited that I can start putting theory into practice during my internship at Bilan.”

Fatima Adam Rage has just completed a four-year journalism degree at Mogadishu University. She was born and raised in the city and has always wanted to communicate what she describes as “the real stories” of Somalia to the wider world.

 Fatima wants to change the narrative on Somalia, challenging negative stereotypes and showing “the other side of life” in the country. She is especially interested in telling the stories of young Somalis.

 “I decided to study journalism at university because Somalia needs more professional media workers,” says Fatima. “I am excited that I can start putting theory into practice during my internship at Bilan.”

Her close family has always supported her choice to become a journalist but she has faced criticism from others who believe women should stay at home, cleaning, cooking and looking after the children.

Fatima’s dream is to be a senior manager or to own her own media house, where she will encourage and train young women to become good journalists.

Aamino Nor Hussein

“Journalism has been in my heart since I was a small child.”

Aamino Nor Hussein began her journalism degree at Somali National University in 2020. She comes from Dhusamareb, the capital of central Somalia’s Galmudug state, and moved to Mogadishu to pursue her studies.

“Journalism has been in my heart since I was a small child,” says Aamino. “I had a lot of pressure from my family and wider community not to become a journalist because it is dangerous and not considered an appropriate career for a woman.”

Aamino was pressurised into studying health but later switched to journalism with the support of her mother and sisters who told her to follow her dreams and ignore what others said. 

“Unlike many Somalis who start working in the media without ever having studied journalism, I decided to learn the theory and practice of the profession before starting my career,” says Aamino.

Being chosen as a Bilan intern is a “dream come true’ for Aamino. She is especially keen on becoming “self-sufficient” like the Bilan team, who have learned the skills to do their own work from start to finish, from choosing the stories, to filming, recording and editing, to writing scripts and broadcasting the final product.