PROJECT Summary
While 50.2% of the Somali population are women, there is extreme systemic and societal discrimination against women. This is manifested in non-recognition of their roles in decision making processes for social service provision and extremely low participation in politics and senior appointed positions in the executive branch. Women’s representation in local councils and the parliament is limited, creating huge gender gaps in local governance structures and resulting in gross violations against human rights. The non-participation of women directly affected the entire development processes of the Somali society and community. The obligation of the government on civic education is inadequate or lacking in action. The possibility to access for private media for purpose of civic education is difficult because of its costs.
To combat violations against the rights of women, the project aims to foster behavioural changes at grassroots level and promote women’s leadership and political participation through improving access to information and fundamental knowledge on human rights and women’s rights. The project also creates opportunities to meet and spaces for women by engaging targeted groups of women, elders, youth, local councils, CBOs/CSOs and the media.
The project will be implemented in Galmudug and Puntland States of Somalia, by Somali Birth Attendants Cooperative Organization (SBACO) which focuses on women’s rights in reproductive health, in partnership with the Puntland Youth Network Association.
The project aims to promote women’s leadership and political participation in Galmudug and Puntland states of Somalia, through awareness raising, advocacy, and capacity building at the grassroots level. The project plans to engage and train 158 youth (both girls and boys), 84 elders, 84 influential women and girls, 14 local councilors and 60 representatives from 30 CSOs/CBOs and media. The project will establish a forum in the two target districts to create a space for women’s participation in civic life.
