MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) –More than 25 Somali women from various Civil Society Organisations across the country have been engaged by the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) on their contributions to the ongoing constitutional review process in the country.
The representatives include leaders from various youth groups, women associations, sports, and the media.
AMISOM Protection, Human Rights and Gender Unit, Ms. Mané Ahmed, underscored the importance of understanding and making gender provisions in the constitution.
“We are delighted to come together with the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, to see how civil societies can contribute to the constitution review process. It is imperative to hear their voices, challenges, and views on the gender provisions in the constitution,” Mane said.
“Somali women are eager to contribute to the constitutional review process to ensure they are adequately represented, particularly in the political process and possibly have fifty percent representation.”
The Federal Government of Somalia launched the constitutional review process in May 2018. It is expected that by the end of the year just before the 2020 elections.
“We discussed the role women ought to play to contribute and fulfill their constitutional duties and obligations,”said Kafia Naleye, Gender officer at the Ministry of the constitutional.
Ms. Ilhan Mohamed Hassan, a member of the Somali Professional Women’s Union, encouraged women to be conversant with the specific constitution provisions about women.
“We are advocating for the inclusion of the thirty percent quota, protection against sexual violence, and our rights for participation in the three arms of government,” Ilhan said.
They called for an inclusive process that caters for women representation while appealing for equality in the political process and access to opportunities.
“Don’t only grant ten percent to the youth and thirty percent quota to women in parliament, we want more seats because we represent the majority of the population,” Noted Ms. Zahra Abdi Haji, the chairperson of a local organization, Somali Youth United.
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