Astaan
Impact Report 2026
Empowering Women. Celebrating Culture. Strengthening Communities.
Guntiino Girls Event — Wrapped in Culture, 23 April 2026
1. Executive Summary
Astaan continues to contribute to the empowerment of women, youth, creatives, and communities in Somalia through strategic support for community-based initiatives, cultural activities, and women-centered events.
A leading example of this commitment is Hoyga Hodan, a transformative platform designed to inspire, empower, and connect women and youth through entrepreneurship, storytelling, creativity, and community engagement. Hoyga Hodan is built around four key pillars:
- Building confidence and leadership
- Promoting small businesses and innovation
- Encouraging creative expression
- Strengthening community unity
In 2026, Astaan supported four major women- and culture-centered events under this broader vision, including three events in Mogadishu and one in Barawe. One of the key highlights was the Guntiino Girls Event – Wrapped in Culture, sponsored by Astaan on 23 April 2026, which brought Somali girls together in an engaging environment to share ideas, experiences, stories, and entertainment while celebrating Somali identity and culture.
Through its support, Astaan is contributing to a broader movement that promotes women's leadership, cultural identity, social connection, entrepreneurship, and creative opportunity.
2. Introduction
Women and young people play a central role in Somalia's social, cultural, and economic development. However, meaningful participation requires platforms where they can be visible, confident, connected, and able to share their ideas. Astaan recognizes the importance of creating and supporting such platforms.
Through sponsorship, media visibility, community engagement, and support for cultural initiatives, Astaan seeks to amplify voices that contribute positively to Somali society — using media and community platforms not only for entertainment, but also as tools for empowerment, connection, education, and social impact.
3. Hoyga Hodan
A Platform for Women's Empowerment and Creativity
Hoyga Hodan represents one of Astaan's strongest examples of supporting women through community-centered programming. The initiative creates a welcoming environment where women and youth can come together to:
- Share personal and professional experiences
- Discuss challenges and opportunities
- Showcase businesses and entrepreneurial ideas
- Celebrate creative talents
- Exchange knowledge and inspiration
- Build meaningful social connections
- Celebrate Somali culture and identity
The platform emphasizes the idea that women should not only participate in their communities but also have opportunities to lead conversations, showcase achievements, and inspire others.
Core Pillars
1. Confidence & Leadership
Hoyga Hodan encourages women and girls to develop confidence, express their ideas, and recognize their ability to contribute to their families, communities, and wider society.
2. Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The initiative provides visibility for women-led businesses and encourages participants to explore entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic opportunities.
3. Creative Expression
Participants are encouraged to express themselves through storytelling, art, fashion, entertainment, media, and other creative forms.
4. Community Unity
Hoyga Hodan creates opportunities for women and youth from different backgrounds to connect, exchange experiences, and strengthen relationships within their communities.
Hoyga Hodan — conversation on stage
Traditional dance performance at Hoyga Hodan
4. 2026 Women & Cultural Activities
In 2026, Astaan supported four major events aligned with its commitment to women, youth, creativity, and Somali culture.
| Location | Number of Events |
|---|---|
| Mogadishu | 3 |
| Barawe | 1 |
| Total | 4 |
This geographic reach demonstrates an effort to support cultural and community activities across different settings rather than concentrating support exclusively in the capital. The events brought together women and girls, young people, entrepreneurs, artists and creatives, community members, cultural voices, and local audiences.
5. Guntiino Girls Event – Wrapped in Culture
23 April 2026
One of the major highlights of Astaan's 2026 support was the Guntiino Girls Event – Wrapped in Culture, sponsored by Astaan on 23 April 2026. The event provided a dedicated space for Somali girls to come together, connect, and celebrate their culture. Participants shared ideas, personal experiences, stories, conversations, entertainment, and cultural expressions.
The event demonstrated how cultural activities can also become platforms for empowerment and community connection. The event placed Somali culture at the center of the experience, using the Guntiino as an important symbol of Somali heritage, identity, and cultural expression. By supporting activities that celebrate cultural identity, Astaan contributes to keeping Somali traditions visible and relevant to younger generations.
Beyond cultural celebration, the event provided an opportunity for girls and young women to be seen and heard — reinforcing the importance of creating environments where young women can express their opinions, share their experiences, build confidence, connect with peers, celebrate their identity, and imagine new possibilities for their future.
6. Community & Social Impact
Astaan's support for these initiatives contributes to several areas of community development.
Women's Empowerment
By supporting women-centered platforms, Astaan helps create opportunities for women and girls to participate in public and community conversations.
Youth Engagement
The activities provide young people with positive spaces for social interaction, creativity, learning, and cultural engagement.
Entrepreneurship
Visibility given to women-led businesses and entrepreneurial stories can encourage others to consider entrepreneurship as a pathway toward economic opportunity.
Cultural Preservation
Supporting cultural events helps promote Somali traditions, identity, clothing, storytelling, and creative expression among younger generations.
Social Connection
Community events create opportunities for people to meet, exchange ideas, develop relationships, and strengthen their sense of belonging.
7. Astaan's Role
Astaan's contribution goes beyond simply sponsoring individual events. Through its media and community ecosystem, Astaan can help initiatives gain:
- Visibility — events and community activities can reach wider audiences through media coverage and digital platforms.
- Platform — Astaan provides opportunities for women, creatives, entrepreneurs, and community voices to be represented.
- Connection — media and events create connections between communities, audiences, creators, and organizations.
- Storytelling — stories of women, entrepreneurs, creatives, and communities can be documented and shared to inspire wider audiences.
- Cultural Promotion — Astaan's media platforms provide opportunities to highlight Somali culture and cultural activities to audiences in Somalia and beyond.
8. Key Impact Areas
Astaan's 2026 support can be understood through five major impact areas:
1. Empowerment
Creating spaces where women and girls can express themselves, build confidence, and participate.
2. Creativity
Supporting artistic, cultural, and creative expression.
3. Entrepreneurship
Increasing visibility for women-led businesses and encouraging innovation.
4. Cultural Identity
Celebrating Somali traditions and strengthening connections between younger generations and their heritage.
5. Community Engagement
Bringing people together around shared experiences, conversations, and celebrations.
9. Geographic Impact
Astaan's support reached both Mogadishu and Barawe, demonstrating the potential of cultural and women-centered activities to create impact across different communities. Three supported activities contributed to creating platforms for women, youth, creatives, and community members in Somalia's capital. One supported activity extended this engagement beyond Mogadishu, highlighting the importance of supporting cultural and community initiatives in other parts of Somalia. The combination of urban and community-level engagement strengthens the broader reach of Astaan's social impact activities.
Hoyga Hodan — a shared moment of celebration
10. Key Achievements in 2026
- 4 major women- and culture-centered events
- 3 events in Mogadishu
- 1 event in Barawe
- Increased visibility for women and girls
- Platforms for sharing women's stories and experiences
- Support for cultural expression and Somali identity
- Opportunities to showcase entrepreneurship and creativity
- Greater community interaction and social connection
- Youth engagement through positive cultural activities
11. Stories, Visibility & Inspiration
A significant element of Astaan's contribution is the ability to transform individual experiences into stories that can inspire wider audiences. When women share their entrepreneurial journeys, creative work, personal experiences, and achievements, they provide examples for others to follow. Similarly, cultural events allow younger generations to experience and celebrate traditions in contemporary and engaging ways. Through storytelling and media visibility, these experiences can move beyond the event itself and reach audiences through digital and broadcast platforms.
12. Looking Ahead
Astaan aims to continue strengthening its support for women, youth, creativity, and cultural activities. Future opportunities include:
- Supporting more women-led community initiatives
- Expanding women-centered programming
- Increasing visibility for women entrepreneurs
- Supporting young Somali creatives
- Documenting women's stories and achievements
- Promoting Somali cultural heritage
- Expanding activities beyond major urban centers
- Building partnerships with organizations working on women's empowerment and cultural development
Astaan sees media not simply as a communication tool, but as a platform capable of connecting people, amplifying voices, celebrating identity, and creating opportunities.
13. Conclusion
Astaan's support for women and cultural activities in 2026 reflects a commitment to creating meaningful social and community impact. Through Hoyga Hodan, the Guntiino Girls Event – Wrapped in Culture, and other supported activities in Mogadishu and Barawe, Astaan has contributed to platforms where women and youth can connect, express themselves, celebrate culture, and inspire one another.
These initiatives demonstrate that empowerment can take many forms — from giving women a platform to tell their stories, to supporting entrepreneurship, celebrating culture, encouraging creativity, and bringing communities together. Astaan will continue to explore opportunities to use its media platforms, partnerships, and community engagement activities to support a Somalia where women and youth are visible, heard, connected, creative, and empowered to contribute to their communities and society.
