Gender Gap Somalia - Gender Equality
The Gender Gap in Somalia: Understanding Challenges and Progress
Somalia faces one of the world’s most severe gender gaps. The country ranks 4th last on the UNDP Gender Inequality Index with a score of 0.776 (where the maximum score of 1 denotes complete inequality). This crisis affects millions of women and girls daily.
Decades of conflict have worsened gender inequality. Traditional patriarchal structures remain deeply entrenched. However, recent years show signs of progress. Women activists and organizations push for change.
Historical Context of Gender Inequality
Traditional Patriarchal Society
Somalia has long been a patriarchal society, where men hold most of the power and women face significant discrimination and gender-based violence. Clan-based structures traditionally excluded women from decision-making. Men controlled property, inheritance, and family decisions.
Religious interpretations often restricted women’s roles. Cultural practices reinforced male dominance. Women faced limited mobility and social participation.
Impact of Civil War
The 1991 civil war devastated Somalia’s social fabric. Women bore disproportionate burdens during conflict. They faced increased violence and displacement. Educational and economic opportunities disappeared.
War destroyed formal institutions. Traditional gender roles became more rigid. Women’s rights retreated further.
Current State of Gender Equality
Political Participation
Women’s political representation remains low. As of February 2024, only 19.6% of seats in parliament were held by women. This falls short of the 30% quota commitment.
In 2016, women achieved 24% parliamentary representation. However, the representation of women in the House of the People remains low at around 20%, which is lower than the figure of 24% in 2016. Progress has stalled.
Education and Employment
Education gaps persist significantly. Less than 20 percent of teachers are women. Girls face multiple barriers to schooling. Cultural resistance, poverty, and insecurity limit access.
Employment opportunities remain scarce for women. Traditional gender roles restrict professional advancement. Women concentrate in informal sectors.
Health and Violence
Gender-based violence affects most women. The latest Somali Health and Demographic Survey shows that female genital mutilation affects 99.2% of girls and women aged 15–49 years. This represents one of the world’s highest rates.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that Somalia has one of the highest rates of FGM in the world with 99 percent of girls and women ages 15 to 49 having undergone genital cutting. Early marriage also remains common. 45.3% of women aged 20–24 years old who were married or in a union before age 18.
Key Reports and Studies
UN Women Reports
UN Women Africa highlights systemic challenges. The women of Somalia bear an unequal brunt of the hardships occasioned by poverty, conflict and clan-based culture which promotes strict male hierarchy and authority. Their research shows deep-rooted discrimination.
Human Rights Watch Findings
Human Rights Watch documents ongoing violations. Their 2024 World Report noted legislative setbacks. The provisions of the Sexual Intercourse Bill actually eroded the protection of victims of gender-based violence. Legal progress faces religious and cultural opposition.
UNDP Gender Equality Assessments
UNDP’s extensive research reveals multiple barriers. Their reports show progress in some areas. However, significant challenges remain across all sectors.
Important Organizations Working on Gender Equality
UN Women Somalia
UN Women leads gender equality efforts. They support women’s political participation. The organization provides capacity building programs. They advocate for legal reforms.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
UNDP implements comprehensive gender programs. They focus on women’s empowerment initiatives. UNDP is tackling some of the most recurrent aspects of discrimination. Their work spans political, economic, and social dimensions.
Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development (MoWHRD)
Somalia’s government established this ministry recently. It coordinates national gender policies. The ministry partners with international organizations. They develop action plans for women’s rights.
Local Women’s Organizations
Grassroots organizations drive change locally. They provide services to vulnerable women. These groups advocate for policy changes. They raise awareness about gender issues.
Key Figures and Leaders
Fawzia Yusuf Adam
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. She broke barriers in political leadership. Adam advocated for women’s rights throughout her career. She inspired many young women.
Hawa Abdi
Renowned human rights activist and physician. She established clinics for displaced women. Abdi provided healthcare during conflict periods. Her work saved thousands of lives.
Ilwad Elman
Peace activist and women’s rights advocate. She works with former child soldiers. Elman promotes women’s participation in peace processes. Her organization supports vulnerable communities.
Amina Mohamed
Former UN Deputy Secretary-General. She championed gender equality globally. Mohamed highlighted Somalia’s challenges internationally. Her leadership inspired policy changes.
Government Initiatives and Policies
The Somali Provisional Constitution
The 2012 constitution includes gender equality provisions. It guarantees women’s rights to participation. However, implementation remains challenging. The Somali Provisional Constitution, created in 2012, is undergoing revision.
30% Quota System
Somalia committed to 30% women’s representation. This applies to parliament and government positions. However, achievement remains inconsistent. Political will varies across regions.
National Gender Policy
The government developed comprehensive gender policies. These address multiple discrimination areas. Implementation faces resource constraints. Political instability affects progress.
International Support and Programs
UN Somalia Gender Equality Strategy
The Strategy embraces internal changes evolved through the UN reform, focuses on the urgency of strengthening the gender capacity of the UN in Somalia. This 2021-2025 strategy guides coordination efforts.
Joint UN Programme on Women’s Political Participation
The Joint UN Programme on Women’s Political Leadership, Participation and Empowerment (JP WPE) is a collaborative initiative between the Federal Government represented by the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development (MoWHRD) and the UN. This program strengthens women’s leadership capacity.
World Bank Gender Initiatives
The World Bank supports economic empowerment programs. They provide microfinance to women entrepreneurs. Their projects focus on rural women.
Challenges and Barriers
Cultural and Religious Resistance
Traditional attitudes resist gender equality. Religious interpretations often restrict women’s roles. Community leaders sometimes oppose changes. These barriers require sensitive approaches.
Economic Constraints
Poverty limits women’s opportunities significantly. Families prioritize boys’ education. Women lack access to credit. Economic dependence reinforces subordination.
Security Concerns
Ongoing insecurity affects women disproportionately. They face harassment and violence. Security forces sometimes perpetrate abuses. Women’s mobility remains restricted.
Weak Institutional Capacity
Government institutions lack resources. They have limited implementation capacity. Coordination between agencies remains poor. Monitoring systems need strengthening.
Regional Variations
Somaliland
Somaliland shows relatively better progress. Women participate more in politics. Educational opportunities expand gradually. However, traditional barriers persist.
Puntland
Puntland demonstrates mixed results. Some women enter political positions. However, clan structures limit participation. Economic opportunities remain scarce.
South-Central Somalia
This region faces the greatest challenges. Al-Shabaab restrictions severely limit women. Violence against women increases. Educational access remains minimal.
Looking Forward
Promising Developments
Recent trends show cautious optimism. More women enter universities. Female entrepreneurs increase gradually. Young women challenge traditional norms.
Civil society organizations grow stronger. They advocate more effectively. International support continues expanding. Technology creates new opportunities.
Areas for Improvement
Education access needs dramatic expansion. Girls’ enrollment must increase significantly. Quality education requires better resources. Female teachers need training.
Economic empowerment demands priority attention. Women need skills development programs. Access to credit must improve. Market opportunities require creation.
Legal reforms need acceleration. Discriminatory laws require revision. Implementation mechanisms need strengthening. Justice systems need gender sensitivity.
Long-term Vision
Somalia can achieve gender equality. Young women show determination. International support remains committed. Government commitment is growing.
Success requires sustained effort. All stakeholders must collaborate. Traditional leaders need engagement. Men must become allies.
The path forward demands patience. Progress will be gradual. However, each step matters. Future generations depend on today’s actions.
Sources
- UN Women Somalia
- UNDP Somalia Gender Equality
- UN Women Data Hub – Somalia
- Human Rights Watch World Report 2025
- WHO Somalia – Women’s Health
- UK Government Somalia Report
- UN Somalia Gender Strategy 2021-2025
- UNDP Joint Programme on Women’s Political Participation