“Only women in power would consider the needs of women without power.” Eleanor Roosevelt”
The government of Puntland recently adopted a regional strategy to advance women in local governments. Even though women make up more than 50% of the community, they have not previously held elected or appointed to local government positions. The 2011 Year of the Women in Local Governments was born in Badhan by women inSanaag region, Somalia where 9 women (9 out of 28 members) were elected to the Regional and City Council
Moreover, there is a possibility of one more woman seat to be won; one case is yet undecided in which the women council members Caucus (HOOYO) are contesting. The case is still undecided by the commission headed by the Minister of Interior and Pastoral Communities who are looking at the legal rights and the expressed desire of the community, mostly women and youth.
The WARLABE sub-clan is one of eight bigger groups who are enjoined by the commission to elect/select one woman with in their number of incoming councillors; the male elders of WARLABE group and their chief decided that a woman among their group is less important than a male member; therefore they insist to bring a male councillor. Unfortunately their women members do not enjoy like all others to come, voice their wishes and reject the clan order and find their own space in local politics.
This pull and push situation is exersipated by two clan elders (brothers), who also claim to be knowledgeable in Islam and have their own anti-women interpretation. They immediately started speaking against rights of women participating in decision making.
Today, after Friday payer, on 25th March, 2011, the two brothers, Ahmed sheik salah and his younger brother..Abdirasheed Sheikh Salah, who is known for his extreme interpretation of Islam has once more, negatively setting forth, serious allegations in their awaking speeches. In two different Masjids, they went separately giving Friday sermon igniting conflicts, asking and encouraging Muslims, for sure those limited in knowledge in ISLAM being their target; influencing praying crowds and asking the community to go against the elected women and their supporters.
This is setting fire on democracy and women’s rights, a heavy blow to hardly won political success and on the courage of women and their supportive communities.
Somali women need the world to come to the aid of the courageous women in the local Council of Badhan town.
My fear:
The less educated women in Islam might internalize guilt that they may be going against their religion and spiritual believes If WARLABE group succeeds in grabbing women political space for men; then others will follow suit for purely men gaining more power to keep the status-co in place
Women tend to give up their rights if they fear of conflicts that might turn ugly
Female participation on local councils is a must because:
- Women are capable peace builders
- Majority of Somali households are women led
- Women are excellent communicators
- Women build strong working relationships
- Women are creative
- Women contribute to increased capacity building.
A just and capable society demands full participation and empowerment of all segments of its population
Women are by far the majority paying for education, food, health care, community water and sanitation, take care of livestock which is the main asset in Somalia women take care of the physically and mentally challenged and children
These are some of the reasons more women were elected in Badhan . There are many other reasons why we believe female participation is absolutely necessary. The first is self evident “ In Holy Quran
‘O people! We created you from one man and one woman and made you branches and tribes that you may recognize one another. Undoubtedly, the most respected among you in the sight of Allah is he who is more pious, verily, Allah is knowing, Aware’’ Al Hujaraat 49:13
”,.Let us remember and embrace Islam with its essence and stop twisting ISLAM Inshaa ‘Allah. The First Muslim Believer and supporter of Islam and the Prophet Mohamed (A.S) is Sayidah Khadejah Bint.khuweida who did it,not just for women, but for humanity. Secondly some leaders are born women such as Sayidah Aaisha bint Abubakar and we need all the talent available.
It is not just limited to those directly affected by injustice that suffer, but society as a whole is negatively affected. Unjust Societies have higher rates of crime, violence and social instability and we had 20years of it. Societies with fairly shared opportunities for all surely experience improved health, education, economic stability, peace, and realization of their potential. So if we want the highest levels of wellbeing for everyone, it makes sense to make sure there is more fairly shared opportunities between women and men. If this initiative is allowed to flourish and grow it will spread rapidly to Somalia as a whole and beyond.
In Rwanda we have seen the impact of broader participation.
After the humanitarian crisis in Rwanda, the country is rebuilding itself by investing in its women. Rwanda now has a quota system which reserves mandatory seats for women in parliament. Rwanda’s National Assembly is comprised of 48.8% women – the highest proportion of women parliamentarians in the world (the world average is 15.1%)
Somali women are undergoing a transition as their society grapples with lack of central institutions, lawlessness and an uncertain future. Puntland regional government with its new endorsement of election of women to local govt councils and administrations is taking certain steps in the right direction. The Badhan Council election results are a tribute to Puntland women in particular and all Somali women who are adapting to changing conditions while protecting Islam and the rights Islam gives and honors women with.
Fathiya Duale
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