Introduction
Aleel Communications was privileged to support the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) by providing strategic communication and media coverage for the Women in the Maritime Sector (WIMS) – Training of Trainers Programme held in Mombasa, Kenya, with financial support from the Government of Denmark.
The assignment focused on documenting the programme in a way that strengthened visibility, promoted accountability, and highlighted the broader impact of investing in women’s leadership within Somalia’s maritime sector. Beyond capturing activities, our objective was to communicate the programme’s contribution to institutional capacity, professional development, and regional collaboration.
Aleel Communications’ Contribution
Throughout the two-week programme, Aleel Communications worked closely with UNODC to ensure that communication remained an integral part of programme implementation. Our role extended beyond documenting daily sessions to developing communication products that reflected the purpose and long-term value of the initiative.
By producing professional photography, video documentation, participant interviews, and digital communication content, we helped communicate how the programme was equipping women with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills required to strengthen leadership within Somalia’s maritime institutions.
Working alongside participants from the maritime, fisheries, ports, coast guard, environmental, and security sectors provided an opportunity to capture diverse experiences while demonstrating the importance of collaboration in advancing maritime governance and security.
Reflections on the Assignment
One of the strongest observations throughout the programme was the commitment demonstrated by participants to strengthening their professional knowledge and preparing to serve as future trainers within their respective institutions. The exchange of experiences among women from different sectors illustrated the value of peer learning and highlighted the growing role of women in shaping Somalia’s maritime sector.
From a communication perspective, the assignment reinforced the importance of human-centred storytelling in development programming. While technical presentations formed an important component of the training, the most compelling stories emerged through participants’ experiences, professional journeys, and aspirations to contribute to stronger institutions. Capturing these perspectives helped communicate not only what the programme delivered, but why it matters for the future of maritime governance in Somalia.
The assignment also demonstrated that strategic communication contributes to programme effectiveness by strengthening visibility, documenting institutional learning, and creating evidence that supports accountability and future engagement with partners and stakeholders.
Communication Value Added
Consistent communication throughout the programme enabled UNODC to maintain visibility while documenting key milestones and participant engagement. The communication products developed during the assignment provide a lasting record of programme implementation and contribute to knowledge sharing, organisational learning, and future advocacy on women’s leadership in the maritime sector.
In addition to supporting the WIMS programme, Aleel Communications contributed to communication efforts surrounding World Drug Day, helping amplify messages that promoted safer communities, strengthened awareness of efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, and highlighted the links between maritime security, rule of law, and sustainable development. Integrating these messages into broader communication activities demonstrated how strategic communication can reinforce public awareness while supporting UNODC’s wider programme objectives.
Key Lessons Learned
This assignment reinforced several important lessons for Aleel Communications:
- Strategic communication is most effective when integrated throughout programme implementation rather than limited to documenting events.
- Human-centred storytelling complements technical reporting by illustrating the experiences and outcomes behind programme activities.
- Close collaboration between programme teams and communication specialists strengthens the quality, accuracy, and relevance of communication outputs.
- Consistent documentation creates valuable evidence that supports accountability, organizational learning, and future programme visibility.
Conclusion
Supporting the Women in the Maritime Sector (WIMS) – Training of Trainers Programme reaffirmed the important role that strategic communication plays in advancing development and capacity-building initiatives.
By documenting participant experiences, strengthening programme visibility, and communicating the broader significance of women’s leadership in the maritime sector, Aleel Communications contributed to UNODC’s objectives of promoting inclusive institutions, professional development, and sustainable maritime governance.
We appreciate the opportunity to partner with UNODC and the Government of Denmark in supporting this important initiative. The experience strengthened our understanding of communication as a tool for accountability, learning, and positive change, and we remain committed to delivering professional and ethical communication that supports development, security, and institutional resilience across Somalia.
