IIDA Women's Development Organisation
IIDA Women's Development Organisation is a non-governmental organisation based in Mogadishu, Somalia. Its work is centered on peacebuilding, active citizenship for women, and other initiatives in the local education, health and economy sectors. Establishment. The IIDA Women's Development Organisation NGO was founded in Mogadishu on 25 May 1991 by a group of Somali women activists led by the sisters Halima and Starlin Arush. Halima Arush was a former education inspector whose husband had been killed during the civil war in Somalia. The organisation's aim was to create an interface organization enabling  action in favour of peacebuilding, humanitarianism and women's rights. The word "iida" in the Somali language means "woman born on a feast day". It was chosen by the late Amina Abdullahi Haji Fiqow, a Somali human rights activist. Mission. The IIDA Women's Development Organisation's main objectives are to support the societal reconstruction process and champion women's rights in Somalia. Its main development aims are: Offices. IIDA is currently maintains three branches in Somalia (Mogadishu, Merca, Dhusamareb). It also has an office one in Nairobi, Kenya (since December 2007), and one in Turin, Italy. Main projects. IIDA 's main projects encompass peacebuilding, active citizenship for women, and other initiatives in the education, health and economy sectors. Projects have included: Section::::"Tahrib" newsletter. Since June 2008, IIDA Italia has published "Tahrib", an online newsletter aimed at raising awareness on the sociopolitical situation in Somalia. Contributors to the newsletter include Somalian MP Maryan Shekh Osman, President of the Italian section of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Giovanna Pagani, and journalist Kenneth Oduor. Awards. IIDA has received various international awards for its peacebuilding, human rights and development work: Memberships. IIDA is a member of the following networks