Hargeysa, March 10, 2007 – (SL. Times) The International Women’s Day was celebrated throughout Somaliland on March 8.

Hargeysa celebrated this big event by holding a large public rally at the Independence Garden grounds. Leading women’s organizations, local women’s organizations and public took part in the government funded Woman’s Day commemoration. Government officials and public figures made speeches. and entertainment was provided by folkdancers and live popular music bands.

The ceremony started by a procession from outside the ministry of interior buildings. It was led by the police ceremonial band, and by the time it reached Independence Garden, the crowd had grown to well over 500+ crowd.

The festivities were officially opened by the Minister of Family & Women’s Affairs, Fadumo Sudi Hassan, who spoke about the importance that Women’s Day has for the nation. She stated that this year’s Women’s Day slogan will be “fight against domestic violence, particularly those perpetrated against women”.

Sudi described the role that women played in the social development of the home and the nation, as well as in income generating initiatives especially among the poor in Somaliland. She said, “ 60% or above of Somaliland’s population are women. And they are the backbone of Somaliland.”

The minister encouraged the womenfolk in Somaliland to educate themselves and their children.

Various spokeswomen from different organizations spoke at this event. Some of the participants were Kinsi Hussien Qawdhan (Chairman of NAGAAD Umbrella) and Kaltoun Abdillahi (Chairman of NOW a pro-government women’s organization umbrella).

Women’s Day celebrations held all over Somaliland’s regional capitals culminated in the annual commemoration for Women’s Day party, hosted by the first lady, Huda Barkhad Adan, at the presidential palace. The event was seen live through the national TV broadcast held last Thursday night. Among the special guests at the party wereVice President, Ahmed Yassin, and many public and social figures.

Source: Somaliland Times