Displaying 46951 - 46975 of 58126 recommendations found
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:NigeriaNigeriaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthIssue:
- Gender equality
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Intensify efforts in enacting and strengthening appropriate legal framework, which will address gender inequalities, sexual violence and protection of women's rights.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 22) … the current Somalia Penal Code stipulates that cases governed by more than one criminal legislation, that the special legislation supersedes the general one, and that the Penal Code shall nevertheless apply to cases governed by other special legislation, unless the latter specifies otherwise. Therefore, the draft laws developed by the MoWHRD, such as the Sexual Offences Bill, …, will provide significant (additional) legal protection as special legislation taking precedence over the articles of the Somali Penal Code.
Para 24) To supplement the provisions of the new Penal Code, especially on sexual crimes, the MoWHRD has, following wide consultations with stakeholders, developed a Sexual Offenses Bill (SOB), which is intended to address sexual crimes, improve SGBV victims’ access to justice and ensure perpetrators do not enjoy impunity. Once the drafting of the new Penal Code is concluded, the MoWHRD will conduct the human rights review of the code. The draft of the new Penal Code is expected to be ready by 2022.
Para 34) Furthermore, the FGS has developed legislations to reinforce human rights protection. These include the draft legislation on Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Bill (FGM), Sexual Offences Bill, Child Rights Bill, Juvenile Justice Bill, Education Law, and the National Disability Rights Law, which will domesticate Somalia’s obligations under the international instruments it has ratified. In this context, the implementation of policies and legislations are delayed by the challenges that are inherent to Somalia being a country emerging from conflict with cross-cutting reform priorities that build on the promotion of an inclusive environment.
Para 36) The Somali Ministry of Interior has developed the amended Somali Citizenship Bill, which was originally enacted in 1962. The amended bill is currently at the level of Council of Ministers, where it will be tabled for discussed and endorsement. A significantly positive amendment in the draft Bill is the safeguard for equal nationality rights for Somali women.
UN Compilation:
Para 13) The Secretary-General stated that the sexual offences bill, which would ensure that rape was no longer classified as a “crime against morality”, had not yet been approved. Following consultations on the bill by Islamic religious scholars, provisions intended to criminalize child marriage had been removed.
Para 54) … Puntland had promulgated the Puntland Sexual Offences Act of 2016 and the parliament of Somaliland had passed a sexual offences act in August 2018.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 16) JS6 observed that Somalia did not have a comprehensive legal framework that addressed the rights of women and children. The National Development Plan (2017-2019) proposed the development of a National Children's Policy and Act drawing on Somalia's international obligations. In accordance with this plan, in 2017-2019, the government launched a number of policies such as the ratification of the African Charter, the FGM Bill, the Disability Act, the Somali Sexual Offences Bill, the Child Rights Bill and the Juvenile Justice Bill. However, JS6 noted that, to date, many of these policies are drafts and not enacted or implemented by the State.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:ItalyItalyRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Modify the penal code to legally prohibit all forms of FGM. Complement punitive measures with awareness-raising and educational activities. Consider developing an action plan to intensify efforts for the eradication of FGM.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 22) … the current Somalia Penal Code stipulates that cases governed by more than one criminal legislation, that the special legislation supersedes the general one, and that the Penal Code shall nevertheless apply to cases governed by other special legislation, unless the latter specifies otherwise. Therefore, the draft laws developed by the MoWHRD, such as .. the Anti-FGM Bill …, will provide significant (additional) legal protection as special legislation taking precedence over the articles of the Somali Penal Code.
Para 45) The outcome of the convention was the first-ever Somali Women’s Charter, which codifies the demands of the Somali women in areas such as the constitution, addressing sexual violence, access to justice, female genital mutilation and women’s political and governance participation at all levels of government. The Charter is ground-breaking is in its reach, scope, inclusivity and ambition. It called for sustained advocacy and engagement on the obstacles facing women noting that the issues raised by women in the forum needed to be anchored in laws including the constitution that is currently under review. Somalia first unveiled the Charter during the 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women held in New York in March 2019, highlighting the commitment of the Government to the implementation of the Charter. The Charter’s outcome continues to influence the campaign for the participation of women in public affairs including the current electoral process.
UN Compilation:
Para 51) The Independent Expert noted that women continued to be subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, including conflict-related violence, female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage. Sexual and physical violence against women and girls was widespread, committed with near-total impunity.
Para 56) The Independent Expert noted that harmful practices had continued unabated. Female genital mutilation, which 99 per cent of Somali girls and women aged 15–49 had undergone, continued to pose a risk to the health and well-being of those girls and women and constituted a violation of the rights of the child.
Para 57) UNHCR stated that reported incidents indicated that intimate partner violence and domestic violence, sexual abuse, child marriage, female genital mutilation and rape featured among the most common forms of sexual and gender-based violence. Women, girls, older persons, child- and female-headed households, people with disabilities, marginalized clans and internally displaced persons were the most affected. Given the lack of access to justice, the fear of retaliation, stigmatization and discrimination and the culture of impunity, most cases of sexual and gender-based violence went unreported.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 16) JS6 observed that Somalia did not have a comprehensive legal framework that addressed the rights of women and children. The National Development Plan (2017-2019) proposed the development of a National Children's Policy and Act drawing on Somalia's international obligations. In accordance with this plan, in 2017-2019, the government launched a number of policies such as the ratification of the African Charter, the FGM Bill, …, the Somali Sexual Offences Bill, … However, JS6 noted that, to date, many of these policies are drafts and not enacted or implemented by the State.
Para 60) … Furthermore, JS8 stated that 98% of women in Somalia are subjected to FGM. The occurrence of FGM in Somalia was one of the highest in the world.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Gender equality
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:Review DocumentationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Reference AddressedContents:HRW recommended that Somalia ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa ("Maputo Protocol") ... [Para 6] -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Sexual exploitation / slavery
- International human rights instruments
Type:Review DocumentationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Reference AddressedContents:... The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict also called on Somalia to sign the CRC optional protocols ... [Para 2] -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:SlovakiaSlovakiaRegional groupEEGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Sexual violence
Type:RecommendationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:AcceptedContents:Improve the living conditions and safety situation of IDPs in settlements, to strengthen their protection, particularly of women and girls from sexual violence, including granting IDPs unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 16) Other legislation that must be enacted in 2016 include:
- Sexual Offences Bill;
Para 25) The courts in Somalia have delivered a number of significant judgments that have directly invoked both constitutional provisions and other national laws, to uphold different rights including economic and social rights. Among these are ... judgments relating to sexual violence against women and children have been passed on. The government has been vocal about the passing of these judgements to make citizens aware that impunity will not be tolerated.
Para 36) The MWHR has engaged in dialogue with AMISOM aimed at taking special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of Somali women and girls. The ministry has proposed to AMISOM to set up a task force consisting of AMISOM and government officials that will work together in cases of alleged human rights violations to come up with appropriate and timely responses to such incidents. AMISOM and the MWHR have agreed to cooperate and share knowledge regarding civilian casualty tracking to better enable accountability and prevent impunity.
Para 63) The MWHR has worked with several CSO on sexual violations cases and promoting human rights. The Ministry is also preparing a memoranda of understanding with CSO concerning human rights education and conducting research on relevant topics, such as human rights awareness raising in a federal context. The MWHR has supported a local CSO to establish a sexual violence crisis line, that victims of sexual abuse can anonymously call and get immediate advise and assistance.
Para 86) The MWHR has been active and vocal to ensure affirmative action measures for women and girls (among other vulnerable groups). Many of these measures are adopted or are in the process of adoption by the government. The taken affirmative action measures include the following:
- Legislation drafting of an Action Plan on ending Sexual / Gender-based Violence;
- Three GBV centres and two safe houses operationalised in Benadir, providing GBV victims emergency treatment, psychosocial counselling and refer to legal aid;
- Rehabilitation of an Institute for Children and Vulnerable Women funded by the MWHR;
- Attorney General office established special unit on Sexual violence;
UN Compilation:
Para 34) The Secretary-General stated that sexual violence continued to be reported in 2015 at about the same rate as in 2014. He noted that a sexual offences bill, aimed at criminalizing rape and other sexual offences, was pending parliamentary consideration.
Para 35) The Secretary-General and UN-Somalia stated that the Federal Government of Somalia had developed a national action plan to end sexual violence in conflict in May 2014. UN-Somalia noted, however, that the implementation of the action plan had been challenged by a political crisis and a government reshuffle, the limited capacity of the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development to deliver and to engage the regions, and the very limited resources allocated to support the implementation.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 30) Concerning recommendation 98.80 and 98.111, HRW noted that, in 2014, the Government had pledged to tackle the alarming levels of sexual violence by endorsing an action plan, the implementation of which had been slow and the protection of the most vulnerable communities non-existent. -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:AustraliaAustraliaRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupPIFCommonwealthIssue:
- Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:RecommendationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:AcceptedContents:Criminalize the practice of female genital mutilation.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:GermanyGermanyRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- International human rights instruments
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:AcceptedContents:Ratify CEDAW and CRC as soon as possible.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 38) A major milestone is that Somalia has ratified the CRC and that MWHR is working on implementing this treaty.
Para 39. The FGS is preparing to sign and ratify a number of international treaties such as: CEDAW
Para 40) ... The government is preparing to sign the two optional protocols to the CRC in the near future, one relating to the involvement of children in armed conflict and the other on the sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.
Para 86) The MWHR has been active and vocal to ensure affirmative action measures for women and girls (among other vulnerable groups). Many of these measures are adopted or are in the process of adoption by the government. The taken affirmative action measures include the following:
- Technical committee to prepare CEDAW ratification set up.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:Review DocumentationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Not Followed up with a RecommendationContents:JS4 recommended Somalia to reform the Citizenship Law to remove provisions that discriminate on the basis of gender and to uphold women and men’s equal right to acquire, change, retain and confer nationality on children and spouses, including by ensuring that the children and spouses of Somali women enjoy economic and social rights on an equal basis as the children and spouses of Somali men. [Para 19]
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Early marriage
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:Review DocumentationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Reference AddressedContents:IAPD called on the government to take legal steps to prevent the marriage of underage girls, and to make more efforts to eliminate female genital mutilation that is rampant in Somali society. [Para 67]
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:BurundiBurundiRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOIFIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Ratify the CEDAW.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:IndiaIndiaRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupCommonwealthIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Take necessary measures to ratify the CEDAW ....
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:GhanaGhanaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOIFCommonwealthIssue:
- International human rights instruments
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Continue efforts to ensure the ratification of ... the CEDAW.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:South SudanSouth SudanRegional groupAfrica GroupIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Implement legal framework that addresses the rights of women and children within the spirit of the National Development Plan 2017-2019, which proposed the development of a National Children's Policy.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:ChileChileRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIIssue:
- Early marriage
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Adopt comprehensive policies to protect women and girls, with particular emphasis on the criminalization of the practice of female genital mutilation and the prohibition of child marriage.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:MalaysiaMalaysiaRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANOICCommonwealthIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Provide victims, including of sexual and gender-based violence, with holistic support and assistance, including medical and social support, and access to remedies and full reparations.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:ZambiaZambiaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Address urgently sexual and gender-based violence and discrimination.
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:National ReportIssue:
- Birth registration
Type:Review DocumentationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:N/AContents:... Concerning reliable birth registration, a pilot project commenced in 2014 in the Somaliland region of Somalia enabling the first government civil registration activity in Somalia in over 22 years. The government is preparing to establish birth registration in all regions of Somalia. [Para 91] -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:National ReportIssue:
- Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:N/AContents:"There has been a trend lately in many countries to end this harmful practice. The Somali Penal Code covers "hurt", "grievous hurt" and "very grievous hurt" and Islam also prohibits this harmful practice. However, FGM is very widespread in Somalia and almost all Somali women and girls are subjected to this damaging practice. Since this practice is a widespread phenomenon in the society, a large number of people make their living on it and the Government has to find alternative sources of income for practitioners of it. The TFG is committed to total elimination of this harmful practice. It is willing to amend its penal code with provisions to specifically prohibit this practice. We call upon the international community to share with us good practices that could be applied to our case. [Paras 52-53]" -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Women's participation
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:Reference AddressedContents:"JS1 stated that the women in “Somaliland” were marginalized from the decision making process of society due to the patriarchal cultural practices. Women’s role in society was neither acknowledged nor promoted. The clan system which was the pinnacle upon which Somaliland culture and practices were based was a barrier against women exercising
their rights of political participation. JS1 stated that only men had the right to ascend the leadership ladder and make decisions in the political and public life of the Somaliland society. [Para 47]" -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:NeglectedContents:Recommended that all laws be brought in conformity with its international human rights obligations, by repealing all provisions which may be applied to criminalise sexual activity between consenting adults. [Para 39] -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
- Empowerment of women
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:NeglectedContents:...SFS stated that policies should be implemented to empower youth regardless of gender and clan affiliation by, inter alia, providing equal employment opportunities. {Para 49] -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:IndonesiaIndonesiaRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupASEANOICIssue:
- International human rights instruments
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Consider ratifying the CEDAW.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 11) Somalia has intensified its engagement and cooperation with international human rights treaty bodies and mechanisms since the last UPR cycle. The MoWHRD has led consultations with diverse groups of stakeholders on the path to ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). This consultation focused on familiarizing the stakeholders with this core human rights convention and Somalia’s respective rights and obligations therein. Moreover, in 2017 the Minister of Women and Human Rights Development held consultations with the CEDAW Chairperson in New York, in the margins of the UN General Assembly, to discuss Somalia’s potential ratification as well as broad-based advocacy efforts to ensure the public understands the need for Somalia to ratify this core human rights convention. Correspondingly, the MoWHRD has led a CEDAW benchmarking study tour in 2019 to Egypt for the purposes of understanding, from a comparative perspective, other countries’ experiences with the ratification processes to inform Somalia’s own ratification process.
UN Compilation:
Para 2) … Somalia has not ratified the CEDAW …
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State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:United KingdomUnited KingdomRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUCommonwealthIssue:
- Gender equality
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:AcceptedContents:Take concrete measures to ensure governing authorities are representative of all Somalis including women and minority groups.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 20) ... In addition, efforts are being put into including vulnerable groups, such as women, minorities and youth in the decision-making process by giving them adequate representation in the different committees debating these issues ...
Para 26) The government has supported 26 legal internships since the last UPR report, including female interns. Providing them with exposure in the public sector, including key ministries, courts and the police, where they gather on-the-job work experience. These graduates are now working with the police, the Attorney General's office, the judiciary, legal aid centres, NGOs and the Parliament.
Para 62) The FGS is committed to work with and utilise the significant experience of the civil society organisations (CSO), which has been built during the civil war period. Somali CSO have been widely consulted by the government on a wide range of topics for which the government has been formulating policies. Several ministries and senior Government officials have held regular discussions with civil society actors including ... women associations.
Para 85) Seats of the Federal Parliament to fill the women's minimum quota of 30% have been agreed upon. However, it has proven challenging to implement this agreement as it has no legal grounds to support the enforcement of the aforementioned quota. After the country's general election in September 2012, only 14% women were elected as MPs. The percentage of female ministers in the first cabinet after the election was 20% (2 out of a total of 10 ministers). Nevertheless, the government is optimistic that women participation in politics and governance will increase significantly in the coming years. The MWHR is campaigning throughout the regions of Somalia to encourage local representatives to include women in the federal states formation process
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 68) SLNHRC stated that the political participation of women was still minimal in "Somaliland", with only one woman in the parliament and only four women among cabinet ministers. -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:MexicoMexicoRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIACSIssue:
- Sexual exploitation / slavery
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Strengthen the dialogue with AMISOM with a view to adopting special measures to protect Somali women and girls against sexual exploitation and abuse. -
State Under Review:SomaliaSomaliaRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICALSource Of Reference:IraqIraqRegional groupAsia-Pacific GroupPolitical groupOICALIssue:
- Women's and / or girls' rights
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Sign and ratify the international conventions and covenants in the field of human rights and allow women to contribute to the labour market, education, and political participation.ExplanationNoted. Somalia aims to prioritise which international instruments to become party to and which instruments not to become party to due to capacity constraints and/or incompatibility with current policies.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 17) The 2016 indirect elections were held, following a political agreement on the electoral system, an agreed formula for safeguarding the participation of women, the election management body as well as putting in place an independent electoral dispute resolution mechanism. In comparison to the 2012 elections, the 2016 parliamentary indirect elections were relatively fairer, transparent and more inclusive. During the 2016 indirect elections, Somalia adopted a 30% quota mechanism for women’s political representation. The 2016 women quota campaign successfully led to female parliamentary candidates winning 25% of the parliamentary seats (up from 11% in 2012) and the highest percentage of women in the Council of Ministers (23%). The FGS recognises the need to improve this representation of women to the required level and is striving to achieve this through a definitive electoral model.
Para 44) On 4 – 6 March 2019, Somalia organized one of the largest women gatherings in the Somali Women’s Convention, which brought together over 350 women and girls, from Federal Member States, Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders. The convention was a culmination of a rigorous and inclusive consultative process over several months led by the MoWHRD and the steering committee comprised of women with different backgrounds and from the different FMSs. The main aim of this convention was to deliberate and identify key obstacles faced by women in their participation in public affairs and how these obstacles could be overcome.
Para 45) The outcome of the convention was the first-ever Somali Women’s Charter, which codifies the demands of the Somali women in areas such as the constitution, addressing sexual violence, access to justice, female genital mutilation and women’s political and governance participation at all levels of government. The Charter is ground-breaking is in its reach, scope, inclusivity and ambition. It called for sustained advocacy and engagement on the obstacles facing women noting that the issues raised by women in the forum needed to be anchored in laws including the constitution that is currently under review. Somalia first unveiled the Charter during the 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women held in New York in March 2019, highlighting the commitment of the Government to the implementation of the Charter. The Charter’s outcome continues to influence the campaign for the participation of women in public affairs including the current electoral process.
Para 46) Furthermore, Somalia has reviewed the National Gender Policy (NGP) in order to align this policy to the National Development Plan-9 (NDP-9 / 2020 - 2025) as well as the Somali Women’s Charter. This policy will provide substantial support to the platform for the promotion of equal rights in Somalia for men and women. The NGP was developed through a series of inclusive consultations with all the relevant stakeholders, such as women groups, youth, civil society organizations, traditional elders and local community leaders. In addition, the NGP creates an effective and actionable roadmap on addressing gender equality and women’s empowerment. The key components of the NGP are anchored across the national processes focused on areas such as humanitarian affairs resilience and recovery. The NGP establishes the mainstreaming of gender equality priorities into the NDP-9 and advancement of civic social, economic, political, legal and socio-cultural circumstances of the different vulnerable groups and marginalized communities across Somalia.
UN Compilation:
Para 19) The Independent Expert stated that Somali women and girls continued to face challenges in access to education and representation and participation in public life. She was concerned that despite the call for the equal participation of women in every aspect of institutional and national life contained in the Women’s Charter for Somalia, and for women to occupy at least 30 per cent of the positions in the three branches of government, the private sector and independent commissions, women made up less than 25 per cent of federal and state institutions. Neither the electoral law enacted in February 2020 nor the Provisional Federal Constitution contained a minimum quota of 30 per cent for women’s representation in decision-making positions at all levels of government. The male-dominated clan system, influenced by an interpretation of sharia law that limited women’s participation, hindered progress.
Para 31) The Independent Expert observed that the Somali justice sector encompassed the traditional xeer system, sharia law and a formal legal system. Inadequate infrastructure and funding and the weak capacities of judicial personnel had had negative impacts on the institutional capacity of the courts, and representation of women in the judiciary remained low.
Para 50) The Peacebuilding Support Office of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs noted that improvement in women’s participation could be seen, but less so for progress in women’s representation in decision-making bodies and in the country’s peacebuilding and State-building processes. For example, women might have participated in community processes, such as serving on local community dispute-resolution committees, or engaging in community planning processes, economic development opportunities or vocational training opportunities provided by projects in the Peacebuilding Fund portfolio. However, women remained underrepresented at higher level decision-making, with low levels of representation in district, state and federal governance structures. For example, only 22 per cent of the representation on the district-level peace and stability committees were women; 24 per cent of parliamentary seats were filled by women despite a quota of 30 per cent; and only one member of the permanent committee of the federal parliament was a woman.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 52) HRW observed that restrictions imposed by the government to limit the spread of Covid-19, including restrictions on movement and measures to ease congestion, along with price hikes and reduced remittance flows, further limited access to livelihoods and health care for displaced communities, and exacerbated existing gender- related abuses and inequalities.