Somali Women urged to fully participate in this year’s elections

Mogadishu, June 13, 2016 – The Deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (DSRCC) for Somalia Ms Lydia Wanyoto has urged Somali women to pray for peace during the holly month and fully participate in the forthcoming electoral process.

She noted that the country was making tremendous progress towards sustainable peace and women empowerment with the recent adoption of the National Gender Policy.

 

Addressing an awareness forum on Somali women participation in elections in Mogadishu, on Saturday, Honorable Lydia Wanyoto asked women to ensure the process was not only participatory but also inclusive.

Describing Ramadhan as a special moment for prayer, the DSRCC asked Somali women to offer a special prayer for their country, adding that in August and September Somalia will be choosing its leaders through the agreed process.

“You’re part of the community; you’re the backbone of Somalia. We would like to mobilize and making sure that women are elected to different leadership positions, especially Parliament”, she added.

The DSRCC said the Somali Constitution had set aside a specific percentage of seats for women in Parliament, emphasizing it was crucial for them to lay claim on those positions by actively participating in the electoral process.

Ms Wanyoto urged women to discuss among themselves and with elders to ensure the minimum of 30 percent quota set aside for them is realized.

She thanked the Waaberi District Commissioner, Ms Hawa Kin Mohamed Ali and the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development for organizing the forum that brought together women from different parts of the city.

“This gathering is a testimony the African Union support women and the process of election in Somalia. We want to stand with the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development and my sister the District Commissioner of Waaberi to make sure you’re negotiating and making sure we have a peaceful process and elect leaders who will ensure Somalia not only has a peaceful future but also one of development and happiness for our children”, the DSRCC said.

Speaking at the forum, the District Commissioner said a new committee has been set up to ensure the quota reserved for women is implemented in the forthcoming electoral process.

“As a citizen, a woman has a right to vote and to be elected so that she can serve her country on many fronts. There are educated women ready for the task. In politics we have a role to play in the leadership of the country. We have a say in the decision-making processes of the country. Let us unite and realize our objective”, Ms Ali added.
She thanked AMISOM for the role it has played in restoring security in the country and supporting Somali women get their rights.

Speaking during the same function, the deputy chairperson of Waaberi District Women Organization Ms Amina Mohamed Omar said women in Somalia had come of age and were ready to take up leadership positions.

“Our sisters who are educated like the ones seated here can lead us. We have educated women; we are not short of educated women. We have charismatic women leaders at the national level. We don’t need men to administer us but we can do it ourselves. We can elect amongst us. If the men take the presidency we should have the prime minister post”, Ms Omar added.

The DSRCC used the opportunity to distribute advocacy material such caps and T-shirts to the women who attended the forum.

Somalia is gearing up for elections in which clan elders will pick the 275 Members of Parliament. This forum is part of a joint campaign with the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development to raise awareness on women
politicttitude towards gender in leadershipal participation and shift
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