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The United Nations is raising awareness of sexual and gender-based violence in Somalia. In partnership with the Ministry of Women and Human Rights, it’s hosted a training workshop for police officers.

The three-day workshop aims to raise security officers’ awareness about sexual and gender-based violence. It’s also focused on the dangers of conflict-related violence, such as rape.

“Police have a duty to promote and protect human rights, but when it comes to issues of women, we feel that they have a duty to protect the women regardless of where they are, whether they are in IDPs, in their homes or their place of work. So, we are trying to train and build their capacity which is part and parcel of our mandate,” Charles Muwunga Mwebe, Human Rights Team Leader for UNSOM, told CGTN.

A total of 54 police officers have attended the workshop. They’ve received training on human rights and how to protect the civil liberties of vulnerable communities.

Nadifo Armey Abdullahi, the Minister for Women, in Somalia’s Southwest State, explained what the officers experienced during the training.

“The training focuses on how law enforcement officers should treat victims, whether it is gender-based violence against girls or street children who have no access to education. The training deals with how the police can solve issues within communities.”

Somalia is trying to establish an independent, skilled police force, capable of maintaining law and order – and the U.N. is a key partner in this process.