Members of the National Independent Electoral Commission attended a consultative meeting on women’s participation in inclusive politics held by the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development at the SYL Hotel in Mogadishu.
The meeting aimed at achieving good governance and women’s participation in the process of reviewing the Constitution and Electoral Law. It was attended by members of the Ministry of the Constitution, Ministry of Interior, Federalism and Reconciliation, and members of the Somali Federal Parliament. The Ministry emphasized the necessity to include in the Somali Constitution the quota of 30% of Somali women in Parliament, and make it clear that the national election law is there to protect women’s political rights.
It further proposed that women should be supported financially and politically, and that a strategy to generate greater awareness be implemented to ensure that in the upcoming elections in 2020/2021 women receive 30% of seats. Meanwhile, Mr. Abdi Nasir, who is the director of the National Independent Electoral Commission, explained that Article 13 of the Constitution protects the rights of citizens, including women, and that Article 24 also protects the rights of Somali women especially. He also said the electoral law, which is currently in front of the Parliament is expected to be enacted soon.