Wednesday February 26, 2025
Hafsa, a rising TikTok star, uses social media to challenge stigma against people with disabilities in Somalia. Seated in her wheelchair, she records content despite the challenges of daily life,
Mogadishu (HOL) — Faadumo was only seven when a medical error left her partially paralyzed, altering the course of her life. Decades later, her battle is not just with physical limitations but with a society that views disability as a mark of shame.
Her biggest challenge came when she fell in love. She and her partner were ready to marry, but his family refused. “They told him to find another woman,” she recalled. “For them, my disability was unacceptable.”
Despite the rejection, they wed. However, acceptance never followed. “Every night, my mother-in-law took my husband to another room, saying, ‘This disabled woman might pass her condition to you.’” Community whispers and judgment added to her suffering.
The situation worsened when she became pregnant. “His family pressured us to separate while I was expecting,” Faadumo said. “They believed that because I was disabled, my child would be too.”
More than one in ten Somali adults lives with a disability, with women disproportionately affected. Deep-seated cultural beliefs often associate disabilities with bad luck, making those affected vulnerable to discrimination and exclusion.
For years, Somali activists fought for legal recognition. Mohamed Diiriye, a visually impaired advocate, led efforts to pass the National Disability Protection Act. After years of delays, President Hassan Sheikh signed it into law in December 2024.
“The first thing you notice when stepping outside is how rough the roads are, the waste, the stagnant water,” Diiriye said. “For disabled people, these everyday obstacles are constant barriers.”
The law is a milestone, promising protection from discrimination and ensuring political representation for disabled individuals. It also mandates that at least 5% of the workforce in public and private sectors be composed of disabled employees.
But enforcement remains uncertain. “Somalia has a history of passing laws that gather dust,” said Mohamed Abdul Jama, chairman of the National Disability Agency. “Implementation depends on the commitment of the government, businesses, and the public.”
Now, the fight has shifted toward awareness. One of the movement’s most influential figures is Hafsa, a rising TikTok star who challenges stereotypes and educates thousands about living with disabilities.
“When I revealed my disability, people bombarded me with questions,” she said. “At first, I used to hide it. Now, I embrace it.”
Hafsa reaches those still confined at home through her videos, convinced they have no future. “Many disabled people believe they can’t go to school or work. I show them they can.”
Both Hafsa and Diiriye know that dismantling decades of stigma will not be easy. But with the law in place, they believe they have a foundation to build upon—and a reason to keep fighting.
- With files from the BBC Somali Service
