Somali women MPs rally against opposition to women's participation in politics

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Somali women MPs rally against opposition to women's participation in politics

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – In a press conference joined by local women activists on Monday, Somali women Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed their frustration and lack of political will to include a 30% women quota in the constitutional amen

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Somali women MPs rally against opposition to women's participation in politics.

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) – In a press conference joined by local women activists on Monday, Somali women Members of Parliament (MPs) expressed their frustration and lack of political will to include a 30% women quota in the constitutional amendments amidst a heated debate over the Somali Provisional Constitution.

"What we were pushing for was that the women quota of 30% be included into the constitution. But sadly, we have now seen that a new parallel process was started which excludes women quota,” said MP Ifrah Naaleeye, highlighting the challenges faced in advancing women’s representation.

The MPs condemned recent comments from political and religious groups opposing the women’s quota, citing religious grounds, a view dismissed by many religious scholars.

"Those who spoke in the Jazeera hotel and said that women quota is haram. I want to ask them where were they when women were killed, raped and abused?” questioned MP Ifrah Naaleeye, challenging the basis of the opposition.

Additionally, the MPs criticized remarks made by the Mayor of Mogadishu and the Somali prime minister, accusing them of using religion to confine women to their homes instead of addressing issues of violence and threats faced by women activists.

Joining the MPs in their advocacy were women activist groups, emphasizing the importance of respecting women’s political participation in Somalia.

Despite efforts, Somalia is yet to achieve the 30 percent quota for women, with only 24 percent of parliamentary seats secured by women in the 2021 election.

The struggle for women’s political representation is compounded by challenges such as toxic masculinity and the rise of extremist religious ideology within the government, hindering women’s ambitions.

Women activists also highlight the non-conducive political environment, characterized by male leaders promoting male candidates and violence and discrimination targeting women activists.