AU Holds Discussions On Women’s Political Participation In Somalia

A two-day forum held in Baidoa, organised by the AMISOM Political Unit, attracted 45 participants, including Women Goodwill Ambassadors, women candidates, youth, men, academics, women’s rights activists, and political experts. The participants discussed how women in Somalia could increase their representation and participation in the ongoing elections.

Officials stated that the objective of the forum is to create a platform to advocate for more women representation in the upper and lower house in the ongoing 2021 election, and how best to advocate for the 30% women quota.

The African Union officials noted the need to challenge existing social norms which limit women’s participation in politics and also called for more sensitisation to enable women to overcome fear that hinders them from political participation

Somalia’s international partners advocate for the inclusion of women in politics and continue to urge leaders to safeguard the women’s 30 percent quota in the 2021 elections.