Basic statement
Caritas Somalia is committed to promoting human dignity, equality, participation, and justice for all, with particular attention to women and girls, persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, and other marginalized or vulnerable groups.
Inspired by the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church, the mission of Caritas Internationalis, and international human rights and humanitarian standards, Caritas Somalia adopts a Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) approach across all its humanitarian, development, advocacy, and peacebuilding activities.
This commitment is formalised in the Caritas Somalia GEDSI Policy (2026), which provides the framework for ensuring inclusive, equitable, and rights-based programming and organisational practices.
The GEDSI Policy aims to:
- Promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls
- Ensure the inclusion, protection, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups
- Prevent discrimination, exclusion, and gender-based violence (GBV)
- Address structural inequalities and barriers that limit access to rights, services, and opportunities
- Integrate GEDSI principles into all programmes, operations, and institutional processes of Caritas Somalia
The GEDSI Policy applies to:
- All Caritas Somalia staff, volunteers, consultants, interns, and Board members;
- Partner organisations and implementing partners;
- All programmes, projects, and operations carried out by or on behalf of Caritas Somalia.
GEDSI considerations are integrated throughout the entire project cycle, from needs assessment and design to implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
Caritas Somalia’s GEDSI approach is guided by the following principles:
- Equality and non-discrimination;
- Inclusion and meaningful participation;
- Respect for diversity and intersectionality;
- Do No Harm and safeguarding;
- Accountability and transparency;
- Contextual and culturally sensitive approaches.
Caritas Somalia is committed to ensuring that GEDSI principles are reflected in organisational policies, staff capacity-building, partnerships, programme design, and monitoring systems. All staff and partners are expected to comply with the GEDSI Policy and contribute to its effective implementation.
The GEDSI Policy is reviewed every four years, or earlier if required due to legal, organisational, or contextual changes, or following serious incidents affecting GEDSI principles or the rights of marginalized groups.
Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Policy – Caritas Somalia (2026)
GEDSI Everyday Guidelines