The overall goal of this project is to enhance access to formal justice for survivors of sexual violence in Somaliland.

The project will pilot a global tool for medico-legal examinations developed jointly by UNODC and WHO. This will include adjusting the tool to local circumstances in Somaliland, taking into consideration particular medical concerns arising from the near-total use of female genital cutting (FGC/M), as well as the limited availability of forensic laboratory capacity in Somaliland. The tool includes elements on technical skills and coordination guidelines. The project will provide training to all relevant actors connected with the Baahikoob Centers (health providers, police, prosecutors, judges and legal aid providers) on medico-legal examination as it relates specifically to their respective functions within the criminal justice chain. The project will further provide joint trainings to all actors on coordination and understanding of the role of each actor within the system to enhance effective case flow through the criminal justice system for cases of sexual violence.

Trainings will take place in Hargeisa, the capitol of Somaliland with participation of staff from the Baahikoob Centers in Hargeisa, and in Burao or Boroma with participation of staff from the Baahikoob Centers in these locations. The Baahikoob Center in Hargeisa has existed for about 6 years, whereas the two centers in regional towns were only established recently. Providing training in both urban and rural settings as well as in centers with different length of experience will allow for testing the tool’s adaptability to varying conditions. Policy-level interaction with government agencies will take place in Hargeisa.