Somali women must not be treated as second class citizens and must therefore be given the constitutionality set 30% seats in parliament, Nadifa Mohamed Osman, MP has said.
Speaking to Local Media Ms Osman that said Somali women were fighting hard to get their promised 30% representation women’s political participation in the upcoming legislative elections in Somalia late this year.
“The women could have been given 50% quota since we are the majority of the population, but that did not happen. Now, even the 30% is still not guaranteed. We need women MPs elected in these 2016 elections, without being subjected to hardship, such as being tied to clan elders. The government should facilitate this, since this is a legal requirement,” said Ms Osman.
Ms Osman says the former system favoured men’s interests at the state level. Tribal leaders nominate men to fill the seats allocated for their tribe, diminishing women’s chances for incorporation into the political system.
“All Somali citizens are equal before the law, but Somali women are still subjected to injustice and marginalisation in the political arena,” she said.
She said she is hopeful Somalis will change their perspective on women and urged Somali women to fight for their rights and take advantage of the quota.
She called for an end to the mentality that belittles female competence and dictates that women should stay at home.
“The role of Somali women in various educational, social, developmental and cultural sectors is evident, which makes it imperative that women be given full political rights, because each individual has the right to take part in running the affairs of the country,” she noted.
