Barwaaqo University
Somaliland’s first residential women’s university.
An Education for the Women of Somaliland
We believe in the empowering of Somali women to become professionals who drive development throughout their community.
Barwaaqo’s first phase focuses on a School of Education that will turn Somali women into leaders in the classroom, who will then go on to educate the next generation of Somali youth across the country.
Our Challenge
The Republic of Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991 and maintains a stable government and border. But after decades of war, generations of Somali girls have grown up with little to no education or chance of economic opportunity. To help themselves, their families and their country’s developing economy, these Somali girls must have quality educational opportunities.
Who We Are
Barwaaqo is a high quality, women’s boarding university in Somaliland that aims to change the trajectory of opportunities for young Somali women who will go on to rebuild a nation.
The founders of Barwaaqo led the incredible success of the Abaarso School, a 7th-12th grade, co-ed boarding school in Somaliland whose graduates have received scholarships to top universities such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Brown and MIT. Barwaaqo will replicate the Abaarso model of strong academic fundamentals and core character values of integrity, tenacity and critical thinking.
The Need
In Somaliland, very few girls complete high school, let alone college, and often get married at a young age given the lack of opportunities. As very few teachers in the country are female, there are few educational role models for young women.
FEMALE YOUTH
UNEMPLOYMENT
OF FEMALES
TYPICALLY MARRIED
BY AGE 18
OF ALL TEACHERS
ARE FEMALE
BUILDING NEW PATHS
REMODELING
EDUCATION
BARWAAQO GRADUATES WILL EDUCATE THE NEXT GENERATIONS OF SOMALI YOUTH
BUILDING ON
ABAARSO’S
SUCCESS
BARWAAQO WILL BUILD ON ABAARSO’S SUCCESS TO DEVELOP FUTURE FEMALE PROFESSIONALS AND ROLE MODELS
FROM GIRLS TO
PROFESSIONAL
WOMEN
BARWAAQO WILL CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG SOMALI WOMEN
Apply to School
Barwaaqo’s first phase is a 4-year, bachelor’s degree program at its School of Education that will prepare the future female role models of education.
Join Our Team
Barwaaqo seeks teachers dedicated to the field of education who can turn young Somali women into leaders in the classroom.
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