Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said yesterday that a new electoral process for his country will be far more democratic this year when an electoral college of thousands elects members of parliament — compared to just 135 elders who selected the current members in 2012. According to him, this year’s electoral process will see a choice of candidates, voting not just in the capital Mogadishu but across Somalia, a dispute resolution process, and 30 percent of seats reserved for women. The process includes an electoral college of nearly 14,000 people.
The Minister for Women’s Development and Family Care, Dr. Mariam Aweis Jama said in an interview to IPS that it was time that Somali women played a key part in the country’s leadership. She argued that a 30 percent representation is not enough: “We are not satisfied with 30 percent and I am telling you with a loud voice that after the transitional period ends we want 50 percent of parliament’s seats to go to women”. “There are thousands of educated women, including hundreds who have specialized in policy, so I am confident that Somali women currently have the knowledge and the power to lead”, she added. Click here and here to know more.
Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said yesterday that a new electoral process for his country will be far more democratic this year when an electoral college of thousands elects members of parliament — compared to just 135 elders who selected the current members in 2012. According to him, this year’s electoral process will see a choice of candidates, voting not just in the capital Mogadishu but across Somalia, a dispute resolution process, and 30 percent of seats reserved for women. The process includes an electoral college of nearly 14,000 people.
The Minister for Women’s Development and Family Care, Dr. Mariam Aweis Jama said in an interview to IPS that it was time that Somali women played a key part in the country’s leadership. She argued that a 30 percent representation is not enough: “We are not satisfied with 30 percent and I am telling you with a loud voice that after the transitional period ends we want 50 percent of parliament’s seats to go to women”. “There are thousands of educated women, including hundreds who have specialized in policy, so I am confident that Somali women currently have the knowledge and the power to lead”, she added. Click here and here to know more.