Mainstreaming Gender in Development and humanitarian response in Somalia
Date:
UN Women Somalia Office convened the gender theme group, a think tank on gender equality and women’s empowerment. The team developed a strategy for the UN Somalia to ensure that gender mainstreaming is an integral part of the UN’s operation in Somalia. The overall objective of the Gender Theme Group is to institute a coordinated and coherent approach in delivering high quality gender results through the work of the UN in Somalia.
The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia Mr. Peter de Clercq stressed the need for a gender strategy that highlights the accountability of individual actors including the UN, donors, NGOs, CSOs, private sector and the Somali government.
He urged the participants pay attention to mainstreaming of gender issues in programming. He applauded the great progress made on women’s representation in parliament, and noted the need for women’s presence in parliament to make an impact, by influencing gender-responsive policies. There are close to 5.5 million people in need of humanitarian support in Somalia. The severe drought is expected to deepen until the start of the rainy season in October. The food security and nutrition situation is not expected to improve in some parts of Somalia through the end of 2017, according to FAO preliminary results. More than 3 million people are being reached each month with humanitarian assistance and protection.