Somalia Zeinab

Despite the risks involved with assignments, I always feel inspired to promote change on the ground and achieve my client’s goals. CTG provides me with this opportunity, as well as the chance to meet new people in new environments.

Due to the nature of the environment I work in, insecurity is my biggest challenge. Being attacked is always a possibility, which is why we need to learn to be safe, keep a low profile, and follow Somalia safety precautions set out by CTG. Because of Somali culture being a woman is another challenge. Women face a lack of respect and we don’t have much decision-making authority. Somali culture believes that women should stay home and take care of their children.

My message to all women out there planning to achieve unique goals in their career is to always to be yourself. Before you can achieve anything in life, you have to know what you want. You have to decide that whatever you’re doing is important to you, and that it’s worth it. If it isn’t, it’s time to set new, more meaningful goals. If you’re passionate about really living out your purpose, you’ll be more likely to commit – to buckle down and set powerful goals. So focus on what you really want to accomplish, and it will make the journey that much sweeter.

I am very overwhelmed by the opportunity CTG is providing to women under the Female First initiative and through the leadership of our Country Director Iman Shawwa and the CTG CEO Alice Laugher. I would like to say thank you to the entire CTG team in Somalia. I believe the goal of 30% of project-related roles represented by women in Somalia and across the CTG operational areas will be achieved soon.

*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual