For International Women’s Day, we spoke with Captain Rahma Muuse Ali, who works for the Somaliland Coast Guard HQ Hargeisa Command Centre. a dedicated officer whose career reflects both passion and purpose. Born at sea, she developed a lifelong connection to the maritime domain that later shaped her professional path. Based in Hargeisa, she serves within the Somaliland Coast Guard, where she plays an active role in communication and operational coordination. Trained on the IORIS platform, she uses it daily to support internal information sharing and maritime operations, contributing directly to Search and Rescue efforts.
What do you enjoy most about working in the maritime domain as a woman?
“What I enjoy most about working in the maritime domain is that it connects deeply with my passion from a young age. The sea was always a part of my life, and joining the Somaliland Coast Guard turned a childhood interest into my career.
I first joined after responding to a government recruitment call in 2019, sitting for the required exams and training, and officially becoming a Coast Guard member in 2020. Today, I work in Search and Rescue operations and serve as a Communication Officer, coordinating between Somaliland Coast Guard Headquarters and regional stations from Hargeisa.
Working at sea in a male-dominated field is challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. I am proud to be one of the few women serving as a Coast Guard officer, and I believe my work can inspire and encourage other women to join the Somaliland security forces. This role allows me not only to save lives, but also to help open doors for future generations of women.”
What progress have you seen for women in this maritime sector?
“I have seen encouraging progress for women across different areas of the maritime sector. Women are increasingly involved in roles that require strong communication, coordination, and leadership. For example, during international events, women often play a key role in welcoming and engaging with visiting delegations. Recently, I had the opportunity to welcome and support a delegation from Taiwan, which highlighted the importance of women’s participation in diplomatic and operational settings.
In operational work, there is growing recognition of the value women bring to maritime projects. In one recent mission, a female colleague was specifically requested to be part of the team so that there would be women who understood and supported one another in challenging working conditions. I was responsible for coordinating that project, which involved long-distance travel and close cooperation with international partners.
More broadly, women are making progress within the Coast Guard and other security forces by taking on operational responsibilities, contributing to decision-making, and supporting Search and Rescue and maritime operations. Women are often effective in community mobilisation, especially along coastal areas, where engaging with other women in the community is essential for sharing information related to safety and security.
When women gain new skills, they are able to transfer that knowledge to their communities, strengthening trust and cooperation. Seeing more women in leadership roles — including as commanders or operational leaders — would further demonstrate that women are capable decision-makers and effective leaders in the maritime domain. Most importantly, the presence of women in these roles serves as a powerful role model for other girls and women to join the maritime and security sectors. “
What do you think still needs to be done better to support women in the maritime sector?
“More needs to be done to intentionally recruit and support women in the maritime and Coast Guard sectors. At headquarters, only a small number of women work across different offices, and in my department, I am the only female officer. This clearly shows that there is still a significant gap in women’s participation.
I would strongly recommend that commanders and leadership prioritise the recruitment of more women when hiring new staff. Increasing the number of women would create a more supportive working environment and give women the space and confidence to contribute fully to the maritime sector.
Women also have strong skills in management and administration. They can play an important role in offices such as finance and operations management, and oversight can strengthen transparency, accountability, and trust within institutions. Greater representation of women in management positions has the potential to reduce risks of corruption and support more effective governance, both within the Coast Guard and across government institutions.
In addition, women should be given opportunities to work alongside other women in offices and leadership roles. This encourages collaboration, mentorship, and professional growth.
I also believe the Coast Guard should develop awareness and outreach programmes to encourage more women to consider careers in the maritime sector. Many women are interested and willing to be trained, but they need encouragement, visibility, and institutional support. Having female role models within the Coast Guard can help change perceptions and inspire more women to join.
While I have shared these ideas with previous leadership, I hope that future commanders will continue this conversation and take concrete steps to increase women’s participation in the maritime sector.”
Rahma experience reflects the important contribution women make to the maritime and security sectors. As she continues her professional development and prepares for future leadership training, her work highlights the value of inclusive participation in strengthening maritime operations. Her role within the Somaliland Coast Guard contributes to ongoing efforts to build capacity and effectiveness across the sector.