Author name: Admin

  The following short stories highlight YAPAD’s measurable impact in promoting Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS), gender equality, and inclusion of marginalized groups across the Horn of Africa border regions. Case Story 1: Building Peace Across Borders (2024) In 2024, through the DERIS WANNAG initiative supported by Adam Smith International, YAPAD successfully mediated inter-clan tensions at the Mandera border. The project created dialogue spaces where elders, women, and youth collectively addressed cattle rustling and resource-sharing disputes. A highlight was the reconciliation pact signed between rival clans, which reduced violent incidents by 40% within six months. Youth who once considered cross-border raids were instead recruited as peace monitors. This intervention demonstrated YAPAD’s unique ability to bridge traditional conflict resolution with modern peacebuilding, ensuring that grassroots voices influence sustainable peace outcomes. Case Story 2: Women Empowerment through Digital Skills (2025) In 2025, YAPAD launched a women’s digital skills training initiative targeting young women in Mandera and Dawa. Fatuma, a 22-year-old unemployed youth, learned basic ICT and digital entrepreneurship skills through the program. Within months, she established a small online tailoring business, reaching clients across the border. Beyond her personal success, Fatuma became a role model, training other young women in her village. The project not only enhanced women’s economic participation but also challenged gender stereotypes, proving that when women are empowered with skills and opportunities, they can drive inclusive growth and contribute to peaceful, resilient communities. Case Story 3: Youth Resilience Against Extremism (2023) In 2023, YAPAD implemented the Enhancing Community Resilience in CVE project in the Mandera border triangle. One beneficiary, Ahmed, a 19-year-old at risk of recruitment into extremist groups, joined YAPAD’s mentorship and sports-for-peace program. Through football tournaments, leadership training, and dialogue sessions, Ahmed gained confidence and a renewed sense of purpose. He later became a peer mentor, reaching over 50 at-risk youth with positive messages of peace. The project reduced youth vulnerability to extremist narratives, strengthened community trust, and demonstrated how grassroots youth-led initiatives can transform potential risks into powerful drivers of peace and social cohesion. wing short stories highlight YAPAD’s measurable impact in promoting Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS), gender equality, and inclusion of marginalized groups across the Horn of Africa border regions. Case Story 1: Building Peace Across Borders (2024) In 2024, through the DERIS WANNAG initiative supported by Adam Smith International, YAPAD successfully mediated inter-clan tensions at the Mandera border. The project created dialogue spaces where elders, women, and youth collectively addressed cattle rustling and resource-sharing disputes. A highlight was the reconciliation pact signed between rival clans, which reduced violent incidents by 40% within six months. Youth who once considered cross-border raids were instead recruited as peace monitors. This intervention demonstrated YAPAD’s unique ability to bridge traditional conflict resolution with modern peacebuilding, ensuring that grassroots voices influence sustainable peace outcomes. Case Story 2: Women Empowerment through Digital Skills (2025) In 2025, YAPAD launched a women’s digital skills training initiative targeting young women in Mandera and Dawa. Fatuma, a 22-year-old unemployed youth, learned basic ICT and digital entrepreneurship skills through the program. Within months, she established a small online tailoring business, reaching clients across the border. Beyond her personal success, Fatuma became a role model, training other young women in her village. The project not only enhanced women’s economic participation but also challenged gender stereotypes, proving that when women are empowered with skills and opportunities, they can drive inclusive growth and contribute to peaceful, resilient communities. Case Story 3: Youth Resilience Against Extremism (2023) In 2023, YAPAD implemented the Enhancing Community Resilience in CVE project in the Mandera border triangle. One beneficiary, Ahmed, a 19-year-old at risk of recruitment into extremist groups, joined YAPAD’s mentorship and sports-for-peace program. Through football tournaments, leadership training, and dialogue sessions, Ahmed gained confidence and a renewed sense of purpose. He later became a peer mentor, reaching over 50 at-risk youth with positive messages of peace. The project reduced youth vulnerability to extremist narratives, strengthened community trust, and demonstrated how grassroots youth-led initiatives can transform potential risks into powerful drivers of peace and social cohesion.

Narrated by Ali Kuresh, 2019 Anab Abdullah, an 18-year-old student from Dolo Ado in the Liben Zone of the Somali Region, faced significant challenges during her schooling due to a lack of menstrual hygiene management resources. After completing primary school in Haji Ali Kabale, she moved to Dolo Ado to pursue secondary education. However, the transition to secondary school was not without its obstacles, primarily linked to menstrual health. The Challenges As a young girl, Anab struggled to manage menstruation during her school years, which often led to her missing classes. The major challenges she faced included: Absenteeism During Menstruation: Anab would frequently stay home from school during her menstrual cycle, leading to a significant gap in her academic performance and progress. Health Problems: Lacking proper menstrual hygiene products, Anab used old cloths, which led to health issues such as kidney and back pain. The lack of appropriate resources took a toll on her physical well-being. Lack of Knowledge: There was limited awareness in the community about proper menstrual hygiene practices, including safe disposal and reuse of cloths. This lack of knowledge further aggravated the health risks associated with poor menstrual hygiene. The Solution Anab’s life took a positive turn when she received a complete dignity kit through a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) project, funded by the European Union (EU) in Dolo Ado. The dignity kit contained essential menstrual hygiene products such as sanitary pads, soap, and underwear, which were provided to 100 female students, including Anab. This intervention was a change for Anab, as it equipped her with the resources needed to manage her menstruation in a safe and hygienic manner, enabling her to attend school regularly and maintain better health. The Positive Changes With access to appropriate menstrual hygiene products, Anab experienced several positive changes in her life: Improved School Attendance: Anab no longer had to miss school during her menstrual cycle, which allowed her to stay on track academically. She could participate in lessons and engage fully in her education. Better Health: The health issues she had been experiencing, such as kidney and back pain, significantly reduced. The sanitary products provided by the dignity kit were a much healthier alternative to the old cloths she had been using. Increased Awareness: Anab’s newfound knowledge of menstrual hygiene did not stop with her own improvement. She took the initiative to share what she had learned with her classmates, helping to raise awareness and improve school attendance for other girls as well. Conclusion Anab Abdullah’s story is a testament to the profound impact that access to menstrual hygiene products can have on a girl’s education, health, and overall well-being. Thanks to the European Union’s support through the WASH project, Anab not only overcame the challenges of menstruation but also became an advocate for menstrual health in her school. Her journey highlights the importance of ensuring that all girls have the resources and knowledge they need to manage their menstruation with dignity and continue their education without interruption.