In recent years, Mogadishu has experienced a vibrant construction surge—new interlocking roads, colorful residential neighborhoods, and rising commercial towers are transforming the city’s skyline.
Behind this boom are not only foreign investors and major contractors—but increasingly, Somali women who are breaking barriers and redefining norms in a traditionally male-dominated sector.
Breaking Ground – and Stereotypes
Civil engineer Faduma Mohamed Ali, 22, is emblematic of this shift. As one of the few women overseeing construction crews older than her, she faced backlash:
“They said: ‘How can a girl waste time studying civil engineering? It’s a man’s job.”
Her colleague, Fathi Mohamed Abdi, 23, similarly confronted social stigma but found strength in familial support:
“My parents… wake me up in the morning when I oversleep (so I can) get to work.”
These accounts—first reported by AFP via outlets like AfricaNews and Nation—highlight the evolving yet persistent cultural barriers women face.
A Sector Opening Up
The construction boom is fueled by improved security following government campaigns against Al-Shabaab—creating demand for roads, housing, and infrastructure. Mogadishu’s deputy mayor for public affairs, Hassan Mohamed Jimale, confirmed government encouragement for female engineers, with women now in the town planning department and holding senior positions.
Meanwhile, training programs—such as UN‑Habitat’s Project Rajo launched in 2018—are equipping young women in Mogadishu, Garowe, and Kismayo with construction skills, boosting their employability.
Still Unequal
Despite progress, this chapter is not without its challenges, as sexist attitudes linger among co‑workers:
“Workers are insubordinate when they are supervised by women engineers… they think we are weak.”
Wage disparity persists, with women reporting lower pay than male peers—especially in private firms.
These structural biases remain hurdles for women who aspire to thrive in the construction industry.
Towards a More Inclusive Future
There are promising signs: universities and training institutes report growing female interest in engineering. Faduma notes classes recently had over 100 female trainees—a sharp rise from when she started.
Moreover, Somalia’s private sector continues expanding—interlock roads and colorful housing developments signal domestic investment driving growth alongside foreign expertise.
As security improves and infrastructure projects ramp up, women engineers stand ready to play a pivotal role in rebuilding Mogadishu—drawing on new skills, resilience, and a rising confidence that is reshaping both sites of construction and societal expectations. Their presence marks not just a structural boom, but an evolving social foundation—one built by Somali women themselves.