STORY: Somali women vow to push for

gender equality in the next election

DURATION: 4:32
SOURCE: AMISOM PUBLIC INFORMATION
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CREDIT REQUIRED: AMISOM PUBLIC
INFORMATION
LANGUAGE: SOMALI/NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: 09/08/2016, BELETWEYNE, SOMALIA
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Wide shot, aircraft landing in Beletweyne Airport

Wide shot, delegation arrives in Beletweyne Airport
Wide shot,women in Beletweyne at the forum on

political rights of women

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Med shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women
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Med shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women
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Med shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women
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Wide shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women
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SOUNDBITE: (SOMALI) NADIFO ABDI DIRSHE;
DIRECTOR, REGIONAL COORDINATION MINISTRY OF
WOMEN AND HUMAN RIGHTS.
We need to take part in the affairs of the country as Somali
women regardless of province, district or village.We need to play
our role diligently to realize the 30 percent quota in parliament
and then focus our energies on achieving the same in all sectors
and branches of government.
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Wide shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on

political rights of women

10. Med shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women

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Close up, women in Beletweyne at the forum on political

rights of women
12. Med shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women
13. SOUNDBITE: (SOMALI) FARHAN OMAR ARTE;
HIRAAN WOMEN GROUP LEADER
It is a great honor for us to gather today in a meeting organized
by our sisters from the Ministry of Women, UNISOM and AMISOM.
To say the truth, we never used to have such gatherings for
women. We are happy that structures are being established to
encourage womens participation at the the district level. We are
requesting of the Government of Somalia to help women get
their 30 percent share to enable us achieve more than just being
members of parliament and ministers.
14.

Med shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on

political rights of women

15. Close up, women in Beletweyne at the forum on political
rights of women
16. Wide shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women
17. SOUNDBITE: (SOMALI) ASHA ABDULLE SIYAAD;
CHIEF COORDINATOR, SOMALI WOMENS LEADERSHIP
INITIATIVE.
The government belongs to us, it is ours, and the country is
ours. It is therefore not fair to exclude us from the process. It is
quite unfortunate to find today that 7 regional presidents and
the Federal government president get together in a meeting with
no woman in it. Women have the right to be there and sit in the
decision making roundtable and be part of the decision making
process.
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Wide shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on

political rights of women

19. Med shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women
20. SOUNDBITE: (SOMALI) FATUMO KHALIF;
PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE.

You can see these young and educated beautiful ladies from
Hiraan region who are in fact here to express their views and
opinions and to support the 30 percent quota for women. We
know the 30 percent quota is not written in the constitution. As a
result, we want to use the power of speech, flex our muscles and
employ the power of unity to get back our rights. We can achieve
that if women show confidence and remain united.
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Wide shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on

political rights of women

22. Med shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women
23. Wide shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on
political rights of women
24. SOUNDBITE: MANE AHMED; AMISOM GENDER
OFFICER.
I would like to inform you that African Union, UNSOM (United
Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia) and the international
community are supporting you. The improvement of womens
rights is a task for all of us; but most importantly for Somali
women, the Somali Government and the civil Society. Therefore
you must remain united.
25.

Wide shot, women in Beletweyne at the forum on

political rights of women

Somali women vow to push for gender equality in the next

election
Beletweyne, 9 August 2016 - Somali women have vowed to
continue their push for special seats in parliament in the
forthcoming electoral process.
The women, who congregated in Beletweyne, the headquarters of
Hiraan region, last week, urged clan elders and delegates, who will
participate in electing members of parliament, to ensure women are
also nominated to meet the 30 percent quota reserved for them in
both houses of parliament.

We can take part in the affairs of the country as Somali women,

regardless of province, district or village. We need to play our role
diligently to realize the 30 percent quota in parliament and then
focus our energies on achieving the same in all sectors and
branches of government Nadifo Abdi Dirshe, Director of Regional
Coordination in the Ministry of Women and Human Rights said.
Ms Nadifo urged women to vet parliamentary candidates and lobby
for the election of those who have played a role in improving the
lives of women and fighting for their rights.
Somalia is planning to hold indirect elections before year end to
elect new members of parliament and president who will serve the
country for the next four years. Somali women are currently pushing
for the implementation of the 30 percent quota in both lower and
upper houses, where 275 and 56 seats respectively will be
contested.
Asha Abdulle Siyaad, the Chief Coordinator of Somali Womens
Leadership Initiative, concurred with Ms Nadifos sentiments, saying
women have a right to be involved in the decision making process
on the forthcoming electoral process.
Ms Asha urged the Federal Government and regional leaders to
include women in the National Leadership Forum meetings, which
brings together the countrys top leadership, adding that they were
also stakeholders in the countrys affairs.
The participants, drawn from various women organizations,
expressed concern over resistance from some quarters towards the
30 percent quota rule.
They, however, promised to soldier on and ensure the rights of
women and their involvement in the affairs of the country are
realized.
Farhan Omar Arte, Hiraan Women Group leader gave a historical
account of some of the challenges women face in their day to day
lives and urged all Somalis to support the fight for gender equality.
However, despite the challenges, Ms Farxaan expressed optimism
about the future and progress made so far.
It is a great honor for us to gather here today in a meeting
organized by our sisters from the Ministry of Women, UNISOM and

AMISOM. We are happy that structures are being established to

encourage womens participation at the district level. We are
requesting the Government of Somalia to help women get their 30
percent share to enable us achieve more than just being members
of parliament and ministers, Ms Farxaan said.
Ms Adar Ali Mohamed, Director of Communication at the Ministry of
Women and Human Rights, encouraged women to actively
participate in lobbying for 30 percent quota to help set the ground
for the upcoming elections.
Speaking on behalf of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM),
Gender Officer, Mane Ahmed, assured Somali women continued
support, saying the Mission was liaising with the Federal
Government of Somalia and other partners to further their cause.
Women need to remain united and support women candidates. The
African Union, UNSOM and the international community are
supporting you. The improvement of womens rights is a task for all
of us; but most importantly for Somali women, Somali Federal
Government and the civil society, said Ms Mane.
United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) Gender
Officer, Fawsia Abukar, noted that the 30 percent quota remains top
on the international community agenda, adding that UNSOMs
Gender Office will work with Somali women throughout the country
and continue offering advice to help them unite.
Members expressed hope about the future of the Somali nation in
general and Somali women in particular. The participants called for
more meetings to enable women share ideas on how to improve
their welfare.
The women thanked AMISOM and UNSOM for their support in
pushing for womens rights. The two organizations have been
holding joint events, with the support of the Ministry of Women and
Human Rights, to raise awareness on womens participation in
politics. The events are also aimed at promoting the Somalia Gender
Policy and ensuring women take an active role in the affairs of the
country.