SYRC Conducts PSEA Awareness Session for IDPs in Kahda District
The Somali Youth Resilience Committee (SYRC) conducted a Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
The Somali Youth Resilience Committee (SYRC) conducted a Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) awareness session targeting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Kahda District. The engagement aimed to increase awareness among vulnerable communities about their rights, protection mechanisms, and safe ways to report incidents related to sexual exploitation and abuse.
The session brought together women and vulnerable households living in IDP camps within Kahda. It focused on promoting dignity, accountability, safeguarding, and community protection within humanitarian settings.
Strengthening Awareness and Protection
The main objective of the activity was to raise awareness on PSEA and to educate IDP communities about their rights and available reporting mechanisms. It also aimed to strengthen understanding of safeguarding principles, encourage survivors and affected individuals to seek support safely, and promote accountability within humanitarian assistance programs.
Key topics discussed included:
- Definition of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)
- Different forms of abuse and exploitation
- Rights of beneficiaries receiving humanitarian assistance
- Importance of consent and respect
- Available complaint and reporting mechanisms
- Confidentiality and survivor-centered approaches
- Community responsibility in preventing abuse
Impact and Conclusion
The activity successfully increased community understanding of PSEA principles and reporting procedures. It also strengthened trust between the community and protection actors, reinforcing the importance of continuous education and engagement in safeguarding vulnerable populations.
SYRC remains committed to promoting dignity, protection, and accountability for all, especially among displaced and at-risk communities.
Community Engagement and Participation
The awareness session saw active participation from IDP community members, including women, youth, elders, and persons with disabilities. Participants openly shared experiences and concerns related to safety, protection, and access to services within the camps.
Community leaders appreciated the initiative and emphasized the importance of continuous awareness activities to protect vulnerable groups.
“We are grateful that the SYRC Mobile team is teaching communities about protection and dignity. Awareness can save lives.”
— Safiya, Mother of Five, IDP Camp
“For a long time, many women remained silent because of fear and stigma. Today, we learned that reporting abuse is our right.”
— Deqo Ahmed, IDP Woman Leader