The Political Participation of Youth

Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, UN Women will work for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

Following the downfall of President Siad Barre in 1991, a civil war broke out in Somalia between the factions. The internecine conflict has taken its heavy toll on all Somalis, but women in general face a disproportionate burden. With many men fleeing and abandoning their families, women have learned to fend for themselves after their husbands died. Regrettably, the tribal hostilities terminated male dominated jobs. During the clan and factional conflict, Somali women took up crucial roles generally allocated to men as breadwinners and protectors of their families.

South Asian writers avoid writing on gender issues, but Dr Anita Weiss rightly explained the political paths of domestic powers in South Asian countries and identified the power distribution, political priorities, identity and women empowerment since the end of British rule in the region.  She also emphasises social understanding within region to achieve sustainable development.