During the parliament discussion of the
upcoming municipality elections, the committee of the internal
affairs and security proposed to specifically assign 5 seats for the
women and minority groups. This proposal achieved the appreciation
and supports of the public specially the women in Somaliland.
NAGAAD, a 31 women organizations umbrella
organized a community meeting event to discuss the issue and address
the outcomes of the even to the concerned officials. The attendees
of the meeting were members of the parliament, representatives of
the three political parties, civil society organizations and
International NGOs, students of the universities, women
organizations and some other public persons.
The chairwoman of NAGAAD started the event
with a very good presentation concerning the role of the women in
the society, understanding the gender and some related issues. She
then opened the floor for the participants to debate about the issue
so that a common understanding can be reached.
The participants started to state their views
concerning the issue. In general, there were no questions about the
women’s role in the society and it has been seen as the most
important one. It is true that there are a lot of complications that
women are working in the houses and yet managed to take part in the
public services and positions. Most of the young girls were not
brought to the schools because of the boys that are doing taking
part of the house duties. Then the families had no choice but to
engage the girls to fulfill that gap in the family ignoring the
other part of the education.
Ikran, one of the only two female members
elected in the Somaliland parliament was al there to present ideas.
She said that there is no such thing that if women took part the
politics then they ignore their family duties. She is said that she
was a bit late to attend this event because she was washing clothes
at her house. She said she has 9 children, she normally wakes up in
the morning to prepare the breakfast for her husband and kids, then
make sure that the kids go to the school before she goes to her
parliament sessions in the morning. After her work then she
continues her normal life at home. She was saying this just to proof
that women have the capability of carrying out both family and
national duties. She said it is the time that women contribute to
the politics and lead the nation. She said if women become part of
the local municipality then it is sure that the cities would be more
neat, beautiful, healthy and well-organized.
The rest of the participants expressed almost
the same feelings and suggested that the government should work hard
to include women to the decision making institutions so that the
equality is granted and the gender balance is respected.
A young male participant said women are not
brave enough to present themselves towards those positions. He said
all those women participants of the event a very small number of
them dared to speak and express their ideas.
The meeting was concluded in a high sprit of
supporting women and suggesting their inclusion into the decision
making institutions of the government.
