NIEC chairperson Mss. Halima Ismail Ibrahim attended a 3 day conference held in Istanbul, Turkey on promoting Arab women and creating a network for Arab women in Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) organized by Arab EMBs and the UNDP. The conference took place 28-30 April, 2018. The agenda of the meeting was empowering Arab women in Electoral Management Bodies. The meeting was attended by delegates from Arab countries and NIEC chair Mss. Halima Ismail attended the meeting on behalf of Somalia.
In her speech, Mss. Halima thanked Arab EMBs and UNDP for organizing such a vital conference in promoting women’s participation in elections where women can network and learn from each one of their experiences and successes.
Mss. Halima also stated the challenges she faces as a woman who leads Somalia’s electoral commission. She said that she faces many challenges just like any other Somali woman. Despite the challenges, she says she has succeeded in all her work because she has strong support from women. What drives me is the faces of young girls and the echoes I hear when a young girl comes up to me and says you are my inspiration and role model. That helps me leap through any challenges that might come my way. She continued.
Mss. Halima has also highlighted the role of the NIEC can play for the empowerment and development of Somali women. “One of our important goals at the electoral commission is to strengthen the role of women in the electoral process both as decision maker and voters.” The chair also stated that the commission is working on creating a Gender Unit department within the commission to mainstream gender in all aspects of NIEC work, in order to create a secure and accessible environment for women to participate in the electoral process.
Lastly, Mss. Halima thanked Arab EMBs and the UNDP for their constant work in the field of promoting women in the electoral process.