30% quota a milestone for women but implementation a big challenge- Fouzia Yussuf, MP
Fouzia Yusuf Aadan, a federal MP has said the 30% quota given to Somali women is a great achievement but cultural obstacles to political equality remain a challenge calling on all Somalis to support the fight for gender equality.
Speaking to Goobjoog News, Adan pointed out that social and cultural hurdles diminish Somali women’s chances to reaching decision-making positions.
“Somali women are being marginalised in the political process due to discrimination, which places women in a second-class position to men and is a result of the prevalence of a tribal and male-dominant mentality in Somali society,” she said.
Adan said the current system favours 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.
“In spite all of that, Somali women are fighting to overcome these existing obstacles that stem from cultural baggage, to obtain their 30% quota in the next parliament and to stimulate their role in political life,” she said. “The 30% quota for women is a very positive step, but the problem lies in implementation because the political process in Somalia is rather complicated.”
Adan 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 told Goobjoog News.
According to what Somalia’s national leaders agreed this week after conclusion of NLF, 30% of the 14,025 delegates who will elect members of the Lower House will be female and 50% of candidates for the Upper House seats must be female.
To ensure the 30% quota becomes the more feasible, the NLF agreed that each of the four major clans in Somalia will be required to produce 18 female members for the Lower House while the smaller clans grouped as 0.5 will be allotted 9 seats.
The Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT), last Sunday, released an election timetable, which set October 30, this year, as the day to elect the President. Elections for the Upper House (Senate), on the other hand, is expected to be held by September 25, while that of The House of the People will be held between September 24 and October 10.