News

Forced into marriage abroad 

30-07-2024
Not everyone is free to choose their own partner. Parents or other family members may choose a partner and force you to marry them. Sometimes this is just with words, but it can also involve threats, blackmail and violence. If you feel like someone is making you get married or like you have no say in who you marry, this is a forced marriage.

If you are being forced into marriage abroad the steps you need to take depend on where you are. Learn more on what you can do about it here.

Do you need help right away? Call the NetherlandsWorldwide contact centre: +31 247 247 247. 24  hours a day, 7 days a week. Or send us a message on WhatsApp: +31 6 82 38 80 55.

Democracy, safety, and diaspora: the Ambassador for Youth, Education and Work's trip to Somalia and Somaliland

The Ambassador in conversation with youth in a local Youth Centre

17-04-2024
Between the 25-29th of February, the Dutch Ambassador for Youth, Education and Work visited Somalia and Somaliland. Here, he spoke with, and listened to, local youth and diplomats in a series of events. Amongst others: the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of the Somaliland Democracy Academy; in conversation with Dutch-Somali diaspora; and in meetings with local Ministers. Read more about it here. 

The Netherlands and Somalia strengthen ties with new Honorary Consul 

Image: ©Financieel Dagblad 

15-02-2024

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi has appointed Mr. Mohamed ‘Midnimo’ Osman as the Honorary Consul in Mogadishu. Midnimo, meaning 'solidarity,' will be the first-ever Honorary Consul in Somalia, representing Dutch interests from Mogadishu. Read more about it  here. 

16-01-2024

Peace advocate, Mohamed Ali Diini, who founded the Somalia-based Iftiin Foundation and chairs the Shaqo Platform, a localisation alliance focused on generating jobs for Somali youth, reflected on the fruitful partnership between the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands within the Skills and Jobs realm. Learn more about it here. 

IOB report - Inconvenient realities - an evaluation of NL contributions to stability, securtiy and rule of law in fragile and conflict-affected contexts 

Image: ©IOB

28-08-2023

This evaluation assesses the combined Dutch efforts to promote stability in fragile contexts and break the vicious cycle between (ethnic) tensions, armed conflict, instability and weak governance. It focuses on the period 2015-2022, and includes all Dutch foreign instruments, including diplomatic efforts, development cooperation and military interventions.

We’re investing in a generation of young people who have known nothing but conflict

Image: ©Deqa Abshir

15-07-2021

Young people have a right to decent work, education and a life in dignity. But how can these things be provided in Somalia, where a whole generation has known nothing but social, political and economic turmoil? ‘By working with local organisations and paying attention to mental health,’ says Deqa Abshir of the Dutch embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Deqa is responsible for the Nexus Skills and Jobs programme.