The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) was established in 1995 by women activists from Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Sudan. From its inception, SIHA has evolved into an inclusive and diverse feminist women’s rights network with a unique regional footprint. Operating in politically volatile and complex environments, SIHA works across varied cultural, political, and geographical contexts, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Somaliland, Sudan, and South Sudan.

Over its 30 years of existence, SIHA has grown into a coalition of more than 200 member organizations across the Greater Horn of Africa (GHoA). The network actively challenges entrenched patriarchal systems, gender inequality, and violence against women and girls (VAW/G) throughout the region. In recent years, SIHA has expanded significantly in scale and influence, strengthening its position as a leading feminist civil society network committed to advancing women’s rights and gender justice.

Women in the GHoA have historically experienced systemic subordination in social, political, and economic spheres. SIHA’s work has continuously evolved to confront these structural inequalities, grounded in the understanding that many of the challenges faced by women are rooted in socially constructed norms, power imbalances, and discriminatory practices. Through collective action, advocacy, and feminist solidarity, SIHA seeks to transform these systems and promote dignity, equality, and justice for women and girls across the region.