WOW Hargeysa
WOW Hargeysa took place from 1-6 August 2015 in Somaliland, as part of the eighth Hargeysa International Book Fair, presented by the Redsea Cultural Foundation. This was the first WOW festival in East Africa, marking a historic step in amplifying the voices of women in a region where culture, resilience and activism are deeply intertwined.
WOW Hargeysa brought together women leaders, writers, artists, students and activists to share their experiences, challenge taboos, and celebrate women’s achievements in Somaliland and beyond. Festival highlights included talks by renowned social activist Dr Edna Adan, and researcher and gender rights advocate Amino-Milgo Mohamed. These sessions opened space for candid reflection on both the achievements and ongoing challenges facing Somali women.
WOW Hargeysa celebrated the rich culture, hope and inventiveness of women in the region and explored how, even in contexts shaped by legacies of conflict and shifting political landscapes, gender equity movements can – and do – thrive
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About the organisers
The Redsea Cultural Foundation (RCF) is an organisation based in Somaliland that aims to promote reading and creative writing in Somali speaking society with a particular focus on youth. The organisation gives young people access to world culture by translating internationally renowned classical literature into the Somali language. The Redsea Foundation established the Hargeysa International Book Fair (HIBF) in 2008 and has been a strong advocate for cultural development in Somaliland.
