The launch of South Sudan’s first women’s basketball team marks a bold step for the world’s youngest nation, signaling hope, unity, and inclusion. In Somalia, a similar movement is gaining ground as the Elman Peace Centre in Mogadishu champions girls’ basketball through training clinics and international mentorship. These initiatives offer safe spaces for young women, many of them orphans, to heal, socialise, and form cross‑clan friendships.Sports provide Somali women with more than physical activity; they challenge deeply ingrained gender norms. Female athletes and public figures like Lt‑Col Iman Elman have faced backlash from conservative voices, yet their visibility inspires others. Salafist interpretations of Islamic law remain a significant barrier, with campaigns attempting to restrict women’s access to gyms and sports. Despite opposition, women are increasingly joining the police, army, and public service. Encouraging their participation in sports can foster self‑confidence, break stereotypes, and promote unity. Somali women have the potential to excel in athletics, as shown by stars like Abdi Bile and Mo Farah. A robust government‑backed sports programme for women and girls could strengthen social cohesion, promote gender equality, and offer powerful opportunities for empowerment across the Horn of Africa.