To: Leadership of the House of the People of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

Cc: Leadership of the House of Senate of the Federal Republic of Somalia

Honorable Leaders, Somali Gender Equity Movement (SGEM) is an organization advocating for the political, social, and economic rights and representation of Somali women. We also work on civic education, peace, security, and reconciliation in Somali society, emphasizing the role women should play. We, the Board of Directors and members of SGEM, consisting of nearly 8,000 Somali women committed to protecting women’s rights, strongly condemn, oppose and are very saddened by the decision to give the seat resigned by Hon. Sahra Colaad to a man.

Honorable Leaders, the women MPs in both houses secured their seats due to the women’s quota of a minimum 30%, established in all political and electoral agreements since 2012 and approved by the parliament. Although the goal of achieving a minimum 30% women quota has not yet been realized, significant efforts have been made by Somali women and civil society in general to accelerate this progress.

Honorable Leaders, we have serious concerns regarding the legal process and the speed with which Hon. Sahra Colaad’s vacated seat was filled. By law, when a Federal Parliament seat is being filled, the National Assembly passes a law and appoints a committee to oversee the process. This task was previously handled by the now-disbanded National Independent Electoral Commission. Therefore, how did the President of Galmudug approve a seat not elected by a constitutional commission/committee, and how did the parliament swear him in? Secondly, with up to five seats in the House of the People remaining vacant for some time, why was the recently vacated seat filled so quickly in the Galmudug Federal Member State?

Honorable Leaders, we are also concerned about the declining number of women MPs in the House of the People, which has decreased from 67 (24%) in the 10th Parliament to 52 (19%) in the 11th Parliament, with one seat still vacant after the death of MP Khadija Mohamed Diriye (May Allah grant her mercy) in December 2023. We fear that just as her Minister position was given to a man, her parliamentary seat may also be offered to a man.

Honorable Leaders, as the legislative body of the country, we urge you to uphold and not undermine the minimum 30% quota for women’s seats in parliament. A seat vacated by a woman should be filled by another woman from her subclan. Somali women, who comprise 50% of the population, must have their rights to political representation protected.

Let unity prevail!

Muqdisho

Ku: Gudoonka Golaha Shacabka Jamhuuriyada Federaalka Soomaaliya

Og: Gudoonka Aqalka Saree ee Jamhuuriyada Federaalka Soomaaliya

Mudanayaal iyo Mudan, Somali Gender Equity Movement (SGEM) waa hey’ad u oleleysa haweenka Soomaaliyeed in ay helaan xuquuqdooda iyo metelaad siyaasadeed oo u qalanta, mid bulsho, iyo dhaqan- dhaqaale. Waxaa kale oo ay ka shaqeysa baraarujinta iyo wacyigelinta nabadda, amniga iyo dhab-u-heshiinta ummadda Soomaaliyeed iyo sidii ay haweenku uga qaadan lahaayeen doorkooda. Innaga oo ah Guddiga Sare iyo xubnaha SGEM oo ka kooban ku dhawaad 8,000 oo ah haween Soomaaliyeed oo mar kasta u taagan ilaalinta xuquuda haweenka, waxaan cambaareyneynaa, ka soo horjeednaa, aadna uga xunnahay kursigii Xildhibaanad Sahra Colaad ay iska casishay in la siiyo nin.

Mudanayaal iyo Mudan, haweenka xildhibaanada labada aqal waxay ku fadhiyaan qoondada haweenka ee ugu yaraan 30% oo ku jirtay dhamaan xeerarkii heshiiyada doorashooyinka ilaa 2012 oo baarlamaanku ansixiyey. Inkastoo aan wali la gaarin hiigsiga qoondada haweenka ee ugu yaraan 30%, hadana waxaa laga soo maray dadaal fara badan oo ay ku bixiyeen haweenka Soomaaliyeed iyo bulshada rayidka guud ahaan.

Mudanayaal iyo Marwo, waxaa su’aalo waaweyn ka taagan yihiin hab sharciyeedka loo maray  iyo deg-dega loo buuxiyey kurigii ay iska casishay mudan Sahra Colaad. Sharciyan, marka kursi  xildhibaan federaal la buuxinayo, Golaha Shacbka ayaa xeer ka soo saara oo magacaaba guddi ka soo shaqeeyo buuxinta kursiga. Markii hore waxaa loo idman jiray Guddiga Madaxa Bannaan ee Doorashooyinka Qaran ee la kala diray. Sidaas daraadeed, kursi uusan doorashadiisa qaban guddi sharci ku taagan sidee Madaxweynaha Galmudug u oggolaaday, sideese baarlamaanku u dhaariyey? Tan labaad, iyada oo ay bannaan yihiin ilaa iyo 5 kursi oo Golaha Shacabka ah, maxaa kii ugu dambeeyey si deg deg ah loogu qabtay doorashadiisa dowlad-goboleedka Gamudug?

Mudanyaal iyo Mudan, waxaan kale oo aan walwal ka qabnaa kuraasta haweenka xildhibaanada oo sii yaraanayo maadaama tirada xildhibaanada haweenka Golaha Shacabka ahaayeen Baarlammankii 10-aad 67 (24%) laakiin ay hoos u dhacday Baarlamaanka 11-aad oo ay waqtigan xaadirka ah yihiin 52 (19%), iyo hal kursi oo aan wali la buuxin kadib markii ay geeriyootay xildhibaanad Khadiija Maxamed Diiriye (Allah naxariistii Janno ha siiyee) bishii Diseembar 2023 oo aan walwal ka qabnaa sida jagadeedii wasiirnimo nin loogu beddelay in kursigeedii xildhibaannimadana nin la siiyo.

Mudanayaal iyo Mudan, maadaama Baarlamaanku yahay hay’adda sharci-dejinta dalka, waxaan idinku boorineynaa in la dhowro oo aan lagu takrifalin qoondada haweenka ee ugu yaraan 30% oo kuri baarlamaanka ee haweeney ku fadhiday uu banaanada in lagu beddelo haweeney jifadeeda ah. Haweenka Soomaaliyeed oo ah bulshada barkeed (50%), waa in la dhowro metelaaddooda siyaasadeed.

Wada jirku ha guuleysto.

To: Hamze Abdi Barre- Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia

Cc: President of the Federal Republic of Somalia

Hon Prime Minister, we, the Somali Gender Equity Movement (SGEM), together with our Board of Directors and nearly 8,000 dedicated Somali women members who are always committed to the protection and advancement of women’s rights, express our strong opposition, profound condemnation, and deep sorrow over the recent decision to rename the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development (MoWHRD) to the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development. Moreover, we are deeply concerned by the appointment of a male general as its new minister and the alarming trend of rapidly replacing women in federal government positions with men.

The original mandate of the MoWHRD was specifically designed to address the unique needs of Somali women, along with policies and legislation that directly impact them. By shifting its focus away from women’s issues, we fear this change undermines the progress that has been made in advancing gender equality in Somalia. It sends a troubling message about the diminishing importance of women’s voices in critical decision-making processes and risks marginalizing women’s issues further.

Hon Prime Minister, it is disheartening to note that the current Council of Ministers, consisting of 75 members, includes only 9 women (12%). With yesterday’s appointment, women lost one Minister and one State Minister position, reducing the female representation in the cabinet to 7 (9%). The positions previously held by Somali women that were given to men include:

1. Minister of the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development.
2. State Minister for the Ministry of Youth and Sports
3. Deputy Chief of Police
4. Accountant General
5. Deputy Governor of the Central Bank
6. Head of NISA at Aden Abdulle Airport
7. Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office
8. The Director of Finance of the Ministry of Agriculture who was also acting General Secretary.

Hon Prime Minister, it is also concerning that two women leaders were prevented from running for international positions, specifically for the Inter-Parliamentary Union President and AU Commission Chair roles.

With over 50% of our population being women, their exclusion from government structures hinders the development goals of Somalia. Our country cannot achieve its full potential without the knowledge, experience, talent, and intellect of Somali women.

We offer the following recommendations:

• To reassign the positions taken from women to equivalent or more strategic roles to ensure a balanced, fair, and inclusive government.
• To appoint at least 4 women among the 9 MPs to be selected for the East African Legislative Assembly.
• The selection process for the National Independent Electoral Commission, previously chaired by a woman, should ensure that qualified women compete for the chairperson position, with the aim of appointing a chairwoman.
• To secure at least 30% representation for women in all appointed, elected, and nominated positions, including independent commissions and committees.

We urge all public institution heads to adhere to the agreement on women’s quotas, ensuring a minimum of 30% representation in political and all government institutions in all levels.

We look forward to your prompt response to our request.

Muqdisho

Ku: Xamsa Cabdi Barre, Ra’iisul Wasaaraha Jamhuuriyada Federaalka Soomaaliya

Og: Madaxweynaha Jamhuuriyada Federaalka Soomaaliya

Mudane Ra’iisul Wasaare, annaga oo ah Dhaqdhaqaaqa Somali Gender Equity Movement oo loo soo gaabiyo SGEM, Guddiga Golaha Sare iyo xubnahiisa oo ku dhawaad 8,000 oo haween Soomaaliyeed oo mar kasta u taagan ilaalinta xuquuda haweenka waxaan ka soo horjeednaa, cambaareyneynaa, aadna uga xunnahay jagooyinka haweenka Soomaaliyeed oo markii horeba hooseeyey in qaar badan si xawli ah rag loogu beddelayo.

Mudane Ra’iisul Wasaare, waxaa nasiib darro ah in Golaha Wasiirada oo ka kooban 75 xubnood ay markii horeba 9 kaliya (12%) haween ahaayeen, maalintii shalayna ay haweenku lumiyeen hal wasiir iyo hal wasiiru dowle oo ay hadda hoos ugu dhaceen 7 (9%). Illaa iyo hadda jagooyinka ay ku fadhiyeen haween Soomaaliyeed oo rag la siiyey waxaa ka mid ah:

1. Wasiiradda Wasaaradda Haweenka iyo Horumarinta Xuquuqul Insaanka
2. Wasiru Dowlaha Wasaaradda Dhalinyarada iyo Isboortiga
3. Taliye ku Xigeenka Ciidamada Booliska
4. Xisaabiyaha Guud
5. Gudoomiye ku Xigeenka Bangiga Dhexe
6. Ku Xigeenka Xoghayaha Joogtada ah ee Xafiiska Ra’iisul Wasaaraha
7. Agaasimaha Maaliyadda ee Wasaarada Beeraha aheydna sii hayaha Xoghayaha Guud.

Mudane Ra’iisul Wasaare, waxaa kale oo jira in labo haween ah laga hor-istaagay in ay u tartamaan jagooyinka caalamiga ah ee Guddoomiyaha Ururka Midowga Afrika iyo Madaxwaynaha Baarlamaanka Adduunka.

Maadaama aan ogsoon-nahay in bulshadeenna in ka badan 50% ay haween yihiin, hadii la curyaamiyo waxaa hoos u dhacaya horumarka ay Soomaaliya hiigsaneyso. Dalkeennu ma gaari karo horumarka uu tiigsaneyso inta aqoonta, qibrada, kartida iyo fakarka haweenka Soomaaliyeed ka maqan tahay haykalka dawladnimo.

Waxaa soo jeedineynaa talooyinka soo socdo:

• In jagooyinka haweenka laga qaaday loogu beddelo kuwo u dhigma iyo in ka badan si loo helo isku-dheelitirnaasho, cadaalad iyo dowlad loo dhanyahay.
• In 9-ka xildhibaan ee loo magacaabi doono Bulshada Bariga Afrika ay ugu yaraan 4 haween noqdaan
• In Guddiga Madaxa Banaan ee Doorashooyinka oo ay haweeney gudoomiso ka aheyd la hubiyo in ay haween u tartamaan si ay gudoomiye uga noqoto haweeney tayo iyo karti leh.
• In ugu yaraan 30% haweenku ka noqdaan dhamaan jagooyinka la magacaabo, kuwa la doorto iyo kuwa la soo xulo ee ay ka mid yihiin gudiyada madaxa banaan wixii hadda ka dambeeya.

Waxaan ku boorineynaa dhamaan madaxda hay’adaha dawliga ah in ay dhowraan heshiiska qoondada haweenka ee ugu yaraan 30% ee metelaadda siyaasadda iyo haykallada dowladda ee haweenka.

Waxaan idin ka sugaynaa jawaab deg-deg ah indinka oo tixgelinaya codsigayaga

Wada jirku ha guuleysto.