Construction in the city of Somalia is booming and as Mogadishu really grows from the ashes of his violent past, it is also giving unexpected opportunities to women like Fathi Mohammad Abdi and Sadia Ahmed Umar.

Two young women engineers are overseeing the construction of a 10-mazil apartment complex in Taleh in Hodan district of the city.

They navigate in their own way through construction materials to wear hard hats, issuing instructions to a team of workers – all are male.

24 -year -old Ms. Abdi, Chief Operating Officer of Somali -owned construction company Arkan Engineering Services, said, “When I started, people doubted me.”

“They will ask,” How can we rely on a house built by a woman? How can I trust my money and property with a young woman engineer? ” ,

She and her colleague Ms. Omar have been practicing engineers for the last five years.

“Mogadishu needs us,” says Ms. Omar, who is 24 years old. “When I was young, the city was in anarchy. Now, we are part of its reconstruction.”

A former Italian colony, Somalia, has experienced a long period of civil war in January 1991 after the decline by the government of President Siyad Barre.

Still, decades of decades are still visible – such as in the middle district of Shangani where there are bombarded buildings. But ruins are hidden or being replaced by long office complexes and apartments, and a horizon with cranes and scaffolding.

Both young women were born during the Civil War and they grew up seeing the fragmentation of their country. While many Somalis chose to leave, they stopped, despite the fact that an extremism was being teased by al-Shabab, a group associated with al-Qaeda.

“I think women are getting more opportunities in this field, the reason is that there is so much work to do so, and not enough professionals to do so. It makes a place for us,” says Ms. Omar.

Ibrahim Abdi Hyle, president of the Somali Engineers Association, agrees that the high demand of skilled professionals is a pioneer -even if in Somalia’s traditionally in Somalia’s traditionally male -promotional society.

“With many ongoing infrastructure, energy and technology projects, the workload has increased significantly. As a result, the association actively encourages more participation than women, emphasizing that they not only welcome, but are also important in filling the significant interval in the workforce,” 34 -year -old says.

“The association believes that empowering women in engineering not only helps in meeting the growing demand, but also brings various approaches and innovative solutions to the industry.”

According to Mogadishu’s mayor’s office, over the last five years, more than 6,000 buildings have been constructed, marking a significant change in the city’s landscape.

“Mogadishu has improved safety, which has improved high growth and commercial buildings,” says Salaha Hasan Omar, spokesman of the Mayor.

However, this has not been an easy way for Ms. Abdi and Ms. Omar because only 5% of engineers are women – and they often find that opportunities for mentarships are rare.

“When I applied for an internship, most companies rejected me,” Ms. Omar misses. “She did not think a woman could handle engineering’s physical demands. I discovered for three months, before someone gave me a chance.”

Today, both are one of the most recognized female engineers in Mogadishu, with more than 30 multimilian-dollars projects.

Ms. Abdi proudly says, “The city is now home to buildings and modern infrastructure, opposite the Mogadishu of the past.”

But not everyone is happy with change. Veteran architect Siidow Cabdulle Boolaay reduces the loss of historical character of the city.

“The buildings once caught Somalia before the war, not only beautiful, but also attracted attention due to their Italian style architecture, which was rare in Africa at the time,” she tells the BBC. “Mogadishu’s urban planning was highly structured.”

Mr. Boley also has security concerns: “The sand used in Mogadishu buildings is salty, which reduces its effectiveness.”

Sand from the long beach of Somalia is often used to make cement – an exercise that is usually discouraged and, under many circumstances, is restricted by international building standards as high salt materials can cause steel erosion.

He said, “These long buildings are not designed to withstand fire or heavy rains, and security for tenants is not considered during development. Many of these buildings lack fire extinguishing and proper electrical installations,” they say – visually frustrated.

He is careful at the speed on which buildings are being constructed, which he says that is compromising with quality control.

Over the years, there were no rules, causing concerns about their structural integrity.

From the mayor’s office, Mr. Omar admitted that it was the case until three years ago – and says that nothing can be done about those buildings.

But he insists that now “quality control and no one will build a building without it”.

“we are [also] Creating new laws that will clearly define where high -rise buildings can be constructed and where only residential houses should be constructed. ,

Nevertheless, there are concerns that when there are rules – there is often no follow -up investigation due to the speed of the building boom.

Ms. Abdi and Ms. Omar, who graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of Plasma University Mogadishu, says that all her projects under her firm have been approved by local authorities.

The rapid development of construction projects has been attributed to migrant investments as well as better security – although Islamist terrorists who control the large swath of southern Somalia still target the city.

According to the World Bank, the dispatch made 16.7% of the country’s GDP (GDP) in 2022 – something that has given opportunities to architects and engineers.

But rapid urbanization has also exposed Mogadishu for infrastructure challenges – it lacks a proper sewage system and lacks irregular borhole drilling risks that reduce groundwater reserves.

The United Nations Climate Security and Environment Advisor, Christoff Hoder, warned that uncontrolled construction bounce may lead to long -term environmental results.

He said, “We need a coordinated approach to water management, or we risk a crisis in the future. Each new building is digging its own borhole … in a small space, can be 10 or 20 borhols,” he told the BBC.

The government, in partnership with international organizations, is working on a new sewage system, but its implementation may require demolishing existing buildings – a controversial step that may displace residents and businesses.

Mr. Hoder says that Mogadishu has a high population density – people are dried and operated in the city with struggle.

They say that an increase in urban population, especially in slum areas, can further increase poverty and social inequalities.

Despite these challenges, Mogadishu’s future looks promising. The city is trying to implement urban development rules, improve infrastructure and ensure permanent development.

Even the bomb blast by the Islamist armed group al -Sabab – whose fighters have targeted luxurious hotels that are often occupied by politicians – do not teeth to the enthusiasm of the Somali Engineers Association.

Mr. Heil believes that it may be upset for architects and engineers whose buildings have been destroyed, but notes that Somalis has become flexible – especially those who study engineering.

“A lot of explosions occurred; our dreams did not stop at him. Today we are reviving the engineering profession, which collapsed 30 years ago. This means hope.”

And the ambition is that in five years, Mogadishu will be not only a modern city, but also a model struggle.

“I believe that Mogadishu is a separate city compared to the 1990s; the city has turned into a new style, and the development of Mogadishu is in line with the new world,” says Ms. Omar.

“When I pass through the streets and help to see the buildings, I feel proud. We are not just building structures; we are building hope.”

Ms. Abdi agrees, saying: “We are proving that women can not only design buildings, but also lead projects and also shape the city.”