About Us

Who We Are?

Dawa Women for Peace & Development (DWPD) is a Somali women-led national non-governmental organization established in 2011 and headquartered in Dollow District, Gedo Region. The organization operates as a community-rooted institution with strong grassroots engagement across Gedo Region and the Somalia–Kenya cross-border areas.

DWPD was founded by a group of Somali women leaders who took deliberate action to address the persistent challenges affecting women, youth, and vulnerable communities, including conflict, poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to essential services. From its inception, the organization has positioned itself as a catalyst for change by promoting inclusive development, gender equality, and sustainable peace.

DWPD actively designs and implements community-driven programs that respond to local priorities while aligning with national and international humanitarian and development frameworks. The organization maintains strong operational access in fragile and hard-to-reach environments and sustains trusted relationships with communities, local authorities, and partners.

Through its women-led leadership and locally grounded approach, DWPD continues to deliver impactful interventions that strengthen resilience, enhance social cohesion, and improve livelihoods across its areas of operation.

Vision

DWPD envisions a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient society in which women and youth actively lead and contribute to sustainable development, social cohesion, and equitable growth.

Mission

DWPD works to empower women, youth, and marginalized communities by delivering integrated peacebuilding, socio-economic development, and capacity strengthening programs. The organization promotes gender equality, human rights, and community resilience through locally driven and sustainable interventions.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

DWPD defines its strategic direction through a set of clear, results-oriented objectives that respond to the evolving humanitarian and development needs in Somalia, particularly in Gedo Region and cross-border areas.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Dawa Women for Peace & Development (DWPD) is a women-led national non-governmental organization established in 2011 in Dollow District, Gedo Region, Somalia. The organization was founded to respond to the complex and interlinked challenges affecting women, youth, and vulnerable communities, particularly in conflict-affected and underserved areas.

Meet Our Volunteers

Bobbie Ferry

Lead Volunteer

Lillie Braun

Lead Volunteer

Sherry Miller

Lead Volunteer

Virgil Hauck

Lead Volunteer

Luther Heathcote

Lead Volunteer

Ethel Heathcote

Lead Volunteer

Dennis Green

Lead Volunteer

Vera Huels

Lead Volunteer

Core Values

Gender Equality and Inclusion

DWPD promotes equal rights, opportunities, and participation for women, men, girls, and boys, ensuring that marginalized groups are meaningfully included in all programs.

Accountability and Transparency

DWPD maintains high standards of accountability by ensuring responsible use of resources, transparent reporting, and responsiveness to stakeholders and beneficiaries.