UN remains committed to making women’s political participation in

Somalia a reality

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SOURCE: UNSOM Strategic Communication and Public Affairs Group

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LANGUAGE: SOMALI/ENGLISH NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: 07 NOVEMBER 2023, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

UN remains committed to making women’s political participation in Somalia a reality

Mogadishu, 7 November 2023 – Women are playing an increasingly high-profile role in bringing
peace and security to Somalia, concluded participants in a UN-supported meeting today in
Mogadishu called Global Open Day on Women, Peace and Security.

Catriona Laing, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, who was among
the participants, along with Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, Federal
Minister for Women and Human Rights Development Khadija Mohamed Diriye, federal
parliamentarians, civil society, and the wider United Nations family, spoke about the successes
and challenges Somali women face in political participation.

Progress so far

Starting on a positive note, Ms. Laing highlighted the achievements.

“While there was a slight decline in the number of women parliamentarians from 24 per cent in
2016 to 21 per cent in the 2021/2022 electoral cycle, the good news is that for the first time in
Somalia’s history, the First Deputy Speaker of the House of the People is a woman, Ms. Saadia
Yasin Haji Samatar.”

Ms. Laing, who is also the Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia, applauded the Federal
Government of Somalia for adopting a National Action Plan to implement the UN Security
Council Resolution 1325 (on women, peace and security), which is essential in addressing
hurdles to women’s participation in politics.
On behalf of the Federal Government, Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, in
his remarks emphasised women’s vital role in the peacebuilding process.

“More than fifty per cent of Somalia’s population is made up of women and there is no way you
can ignore that fact. They are equally competent as men; they are educated with vast
experience to contribute to state-building efforts of Somalia,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

Challenges and the road ahead

The participants identified three main areas for increased women’s participation in the near
future – constitutional review process, National Consultative Council’s (NCC) proceedings, and
women in conflict resolution.

The UN Special Representative appealed to use the ongoing constitutional review to advocate
for the enactment of the 30 per cent women’s quota.

“On the 30 per cent, this has to be enshrined in law. It is great to have the commitment, but
without a legally binding commitment, we know from experience in other countries that it is
really hard to make progress. The countries in Africa that have done the best have got these
kinds of quotas enshrined in laws,” Ms. Laing said.

The Federal Minister for Women and Human Rights Development, Khadija Mohamed Diriye,
spoke of the importance of including women in the National Consultative Council (NCC), which
is a key decision-making body bringing together leaders from the Federal Government and
Federal Member States.

“Currently, the National Consultative Council does not include women. We want women to be
represented there, and we are working with the leaders at federal and state levels to achieve
that,” said Minister Khadija.

The UN top official in Somalia confirmed that the United Nations was working with the Office of
the Prime Minister and the Federal Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development to
ensure that women’s voices are heard in the NCC.

“The National Consultative Council, with no representation of women really cannot be seen to
be addressing the concerns of the country. So, we absolutely must make sure the voice of
women is heard at that top forum – the NCC,” said Ms. Laing.

She also highlighted the importance of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding in the
country.

“Women are the root of solving conflicts. So, we need you at the grassroots and all the levels
up, acting as peacemakers. So, let us also remember to try and hear the voices of women.”
The UN Special Representative reassured participants of UNSOM’s continued commitment to the
Women, Peace and Security Agenda and called on all stakeholders to redouble collective efforts
and strengthen collaboration in support of Somalia’s WPS Agenda using existing mechanisms.

Global Open Days

Adopted in 2000, UN Security Council Resolution 1325 called for annual Global Open Days to
acknowledge the importance of women’s role in prevention and conflict resolution, peace
negotiations, peacebuilding, humanitarian response and post-conflict reconstruction.

The gatherings are an opportunity for women to engage with political leaders, policymakers,
international partners and activists to advocate for the implementation of the resolution.

ENDS.