Despite the growing role of women in the khat economy, this report exposes the social, political, and economic determinants of gender inequality within Somali-speaking regions through reflecting on their participation in a lucrative trading sector like that of khat .

The impact on the khat trade in particular is a good illustration of the economy’s regional and international connections, and the effects of anti-COVID-19 measures on cross-border movement and daily life inside Somalia. Measures to contain COVID-19 have imposed restrictions on khat imports (and consumption) that have affected livelihoods including women’s incomes, who make up most of the khat…

This blog explores a number of social, economic and health issues in Puntland in light of the pandemic in order to better understand not only Puntland’s response and localised economic impact, but also the context within which this political spat took place.