A two-day forum in Somalia that brought together women, the youth, academics, women’s rights activists and political experts concluded deliberations on Wednesday with a call for 30 percent women quota in political representation to be guaranteed.
MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - Somalia's top leaders, all men, have struggled for years to tame the Horn of Africa nation's insecurity and corruption.
Somalia is halving the registration fees for women candidates to encourage more participation in the upcoming elections.
The political agreement signed in Somalia this past heralds not just a new democratic dawn but also one of equity and inclusivity by raising the quota of women in the formal political space to at least a third of the bicameral fede
Civil society and human rights activists, legal experts, politicians and youth representatives met in Mogadishu on Sunday to discuss ways to increase and strengthen women's participation in Somalia's politics.
Women's rights groups, prominent businesswomen and female politicians in Somalia are urging the country's male-dominated parliament to pass a bill reserving 30 per cent of seats for women in next year's general election.
Somali women's urge to directly participate in governance was tremendously boosted on Sunday, following the decision by Lower House to unanimously endorse a 30 per cent quota proposal for affirmative representation in the house.
Despite some gains, female politicians face an uphill battle in reaching the country’s 30% quota.