Record 30 women join ISWA regional assembly

A second group of 57 MPs were today sworn in to complete the ISWA regional assembly, at a ceremony that was held in Baidoa. Notably, 30 women have been selected and sworn in as legislators, a record in Somalia.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the federal Ministry of Interior, federal MPs from Mogadishu, ISWA ministers, newly sworn-in ISWA assembly members, representatives of UNSOM, IGAD, AMISOM and members of the civil society in Baidoa.

Speaking at the ceremony, UNSOM Baidoa office headVikram Parekh lauded ISWA for its successful completion of this exercise. He further commended the administration for its tremendous efforts in ensuring the allocation of 20 percent of assembly seats to women.

Immediate tasks waiting ahead for the new legislators include election of speaker and deputy speaker(s). An initial group of 89 MPs was sworn in last week .

The process of selecting and approving assembly members included nearly four months of stakeholder outreach and a rigorous training aimed at empowering clan elders on selection and approval of qualified candidates.