Mogadishu, June 20 2016 – A committee appointed by the Federal Government of Somalia to formulate a strategy for increased women’s participation in upcoming legislative elections, has concluded consultative discussions hoped to guarantee 30 percent women’s representation.
Somalia is readying itself for an electoral process which will see the appointment of a new government and parliamentary houses within the coming months. Under regulations issued by its National Leadership Forum, 30 percent of seats are to be reserved for women in each member state.
The Committee of Goodwill Ambassadors met Sunday in the Somali capital with women leaders drawn from all the regional states, ministers and representatives of civil society. The group discussed proposals to assist women candidates by providing them with resources and skills, as well as assistance with the registration process and engagement with clan elders, who will play a big role in electing members of the new parliament.
The committee expects to create a strong and reliable system for women candidates and will reach out to women in all the regions. The model will be further discussed at the National Leadership Forum which brings together the country’s top leaders, to be held in Baidoa on June 22.
Speaking at the conclusion of the meeting, the chairperson of the committee, Asha Gelle Diriye, described the agreement as a big victory for Somali women.
“It symbolizes the unity of Somali women. The regional states, the political activists, civil society are united including the ministers, who are the focal point persons. This is the first success we have had,” observed Ms Diriye.
The Minister of Women and Human Rights of the Federal Government of Somalia, Sahra Mohamed Ali Samatar who attended as a committee member, added that the model would be shared with international partners and implemented in all the regional states.
“This is the final validation and the victory is that we are all united and satisfied to have one model,” said Ms Samatar.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of the international community including the Deputy Head of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Lydia Wanyoto, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, Raisedon Zenenga, and representatives of the European Union.
Speaking on behalf of the international community, the UN Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Raisedon Zenenga, applauded the women for agreeing on a strategy.
“We are all united behind this goal. We have consistently insisted that women of Somalia must have at least 30 percent representation,” Mr Zenenga said.
He added that the Somali women deserved more than the 30 percent quota, given the fact that they constitute more than 50 percent of the population and have worked hard to keep families, communities and the country together during the conflict.
The Deputy SRCC described the agreement as a milestone and pledged the support of AMISOM at all levels of engagement.
“The first contribution that AMISOM wants to make is to support the decisions made on the electoral process by Somalis. They have worked out a model, they have agreed on it, AMISOM will support. The second contribution is security. We have been able to work out a plan with other stakeholders including the Somali National Security Agencies. AMISOM is going to embed with them to ensure that the electoral process is secure,” Ms Wanyoto said.