UN calls for investing in Somali women’s participation and representation

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the United Nations called on the Somalian authorities to invest greater effort in ensuring women’s inclusion in politics and making the minimum 30 per cent quota for women’s parliamentary representation a reality.

the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Catriona Laing said that The minimum 30 per cent quota will go a long way to helping promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in Somalia.

However, she acknowledges that Despite numerous challenges, Somalian women continue to make significant contributions to peacebuilding and reconciliation. According to her, this is through service as Members of Parliament, on civil society organizations and on youth associations.

Catriona Laing added that Somali women continue to remind stakeholders that ensuring inclusion and the 30 per cent quota in legislation is an achievable request given commitments already made by Somalian leadership in the past.