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SOMALILAND WOMEN'S POLITICAL AGENDA: A COMMITMENT TO PURSUE WOMEN'S RIGHT TO POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
SOMALILAND WOMEN'S POLITICAL AGENDA
Ming Sing Restaurant, Hargeisa, Somaliland September 9,11-12,2004
INTRODUCTION
Somaliland's nation building process was marked with series of peace conferences that established peace and defined the path towards transition from a clan-based system into a multi-party system. The process of transition did not change the role of women in public life as women remain marginalized from the country's leadership structure in various levels of government bureaucracy for example, the number of women in the Cabinet are not adequate as women deserves.
Looking back to Somaliland's history, women of this country have contributed a great deal in making sure that peace is achieved and political stability is attained. The 3-day (September 9, 11-12,2004) conference of women leaders from 3 political parties namely, UDUB, UCID and KULMIYE, the business sector, social organizations and women from the communities traced the roots of women's direct involvement in public life. The conference analyzed the role of women played in the reconstruction of Somali land and the present roles women wish to achieve. It looked back through time and identified the milestones of women's participation in the country's political processes that made Somaliland what it is at present.
The Somaliland Women's Political Agenda: A Commitment To Pursue Women's Right To Decision-Making Processes outlines the contribution and pledge of women to continue their efforts towards providing women its rightful place in Somaliland's political life.
DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT TO PURSUE WOMEN'S RIGHT TO POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
We, women leaders of UDUB, UCID, KU[MIYE, Women's Political Forum, NEGAAD, SONYO Umbrella, DEEQA Umbrella, businesses, communities and different social organizations commit to actively work towards increasing women's political participation in Somaliland.
BELIEVING in the sovereignty of Somaliland's Constitution that clearly articulates that women have an equal right to vote and be elected as citizens of this land.
RECOGNIZING the role of women in conflict, peace building and Somaliland's transition to democracy, women's invaluable role to peace building and conflict prevention should never be forgotten:
That during both conflicts women mobilized other women to raise the awareness of the public on the importance to put a stop to the war
That during inter-clan conflicts in 1991 and 1994-1996 women demonstrated and called for peace to convince the country's male leaders from various clans and political positions to make peace and security its priority.
While men left their homes to join the liberation army; the Somali National Movement (SNM) women took the primary responsibility of looking after their children and attending to family's needs.
As clan leaders resolved conflicts and identified solutions, women contributed to organize peace conferences which led traditional leaders to successfully come up with agreements that laid the foundation in building Somaliland.
Whereas women supported Somaliland's independence when they voted during the 1997 Referendum that marked Somaliland's sovereignty as a nation.
That women actively participated in the local and presidential elections providing invaluable input of skills and management as poll observers and Electoral Commission staff in polling stations.
Whereas, women actively campaigned and contributed to Somaliland's transition from clan-based to multi-party system when they contributed their talents and energy in being active leaders and members of political parties.
That women leaders appointed to government posts as Ministers and Director General have proven to be competent and credible leaders of this country.
That since the Hargeisa Peace Conference in 1996-1997 when 5 women acquired observer status, women have not been given any opportunity to be represented in political discussions.
That women's right for political participation should not be dependent on their husband or father's clan affiliation. Women as citizens of an independent Somaliland have the constitutional right to vote and be elected as stated in Article 22 Section 2 (Voting and Political Rights) of the Somaliland Constitution.
Women's efforts to be counted as effective leaders of political parties have gone to deaf ears when political parties failed to deliver their promises of giving women substantial roles in the party decision making structures.
That political parties have failed to put forward concrete programs and actions to uplift women's situation.
RECOGNIZING the potentials and strength of Somaliland women that:
Women have played a great role in Somaliland's rehabilitation and reconstruction taking on responsibilities left by demobilized and unemployed men protecting and caring for families in the midst of the country's economic devastation and international non-recognition.
Women have continuously committed to maintain peace and stability, our past actions in keeping warring clans together and preventing conflict have manifested our commitment to peace. A peaceful, democratic Somaliland will pave the road for an independent and sovereign country.
Women have manifested its desire for a democratic nation as seen in its active participation in the country's democratic processes.
COMMITMENT TO OVERCOME THE OBSTACLES OF CLAN SYSTEM AGAINST WOMEN
1. To conduct a research to identify and analyze the traditional role of women in Somaliland society.
2. To establish strong relationships with the traditional leaders by conducting regular information sharing, meetings and other solidarity actions that would encourage traditional leaders to continue their support to women's political pursuit.
3. To raise the awareness of women living in the urban, rural and pastoral communities by preparing dramas, posters, etc that reflect how women are marginalized in the clan system.
4. To educate the women candidates so that they can go beyond the narrow clan mentalities and become competent leaders of this country.
5. To share information, experience through meetings with the House of Representatives to open up space for dialogue that would facilitate understanding and education among members of the Parliament about the plight and potentials of women.
6. To establish support from women of different economic class including diaspora, youth and media to forge solidarity in women's pursuit to counter negative impacts of the clan system.
7. To conduct multi-sectoral meetings that will mobilize various sectors of the country to raise the public's awareness on women's political participation.
COMMITMENT OF WOMEN LEADERS IN POLITICAL PARTIES
1. Women in positions of power within the party will actively lobby to secure winning positions within the party to ensure that women get a quota. This will support women running for elected positions.
2. Women will work to understand and distinguish between the agenda of women and that of the party. Women should be united under the women agenda and can be different in the party agendas.
3. Dreams and aspiration of women should be disseminated and shared with the average women by conducting public awareness campaigns ensuring that messages of support to women are clear.
4. Forge solidarity among women leaders from various political parties so that they could share information and strategies to further advance women's position and power within their respective party structures.
COMMITMENT TO WORK ON LAWS THAT WILL PROTECT WOMEN
1. To open the discussion of the constitution and allow amendments.
2. To ensure that women participate in the committee that may provide the technical assistance.
3. To have a representative in the ministerial cabinet so that they can put forward the women concerns to the ministerial cabinet and to the president.
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