Resource Centre for Women Parliamentarians: A Boost for Women’s Political Participation in Somalia
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The Federal Government of Somalia’s Upper House and UN Women Somalia inaugurated the newly established Resource Centre for the Upper House Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (UH WPC) on 24 November 2024 at the Senate Building in Mogadishu, Somalia. This initiative was led by the UH WPC chairperson, Senator Saredo Mohamed Hassan, and will provide an accessible, safe and user-friendly space for the Caucus members, with the support of the Upper House leadership. Through its Women, Peace and Protection Joint Programme (WPP JP), which is funded by the Peace Building Fund (PBF) and the Somalia Joint Fund (SJF), UN Women Somalia furnished and equipped the WPC Resource Centre with the necessary equipment.
The Resource Centre will contribute to the successful operations of the UH WPC by creating a safe space for the Caucus members to brainstorm, debate and proactively initiate drafting of bills, policies and capacity building initiatives.
During the inauguration of the WPC Resource Centre, the Federal Upper House Secretary General Mr. Abdinasir Ibrahim Guled, UH WPC Chairperson Senator Saredo Mohamed Hassan, Upper House Whip Chair Senator Zamzam Dahir Mohamud, Senators from the Upper House, women Caucus members, House of the People-HoP Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Chairperson Hon. Suhuur Haji Ulusow and House of the People-HoP Women’s Parliamentary Caucus members were in attendance.
UH WPC Chairperson, Senator Saredo Mohamed Hassan, commended the Upper House Secretary-General for his continuous support from the onset of this ambitious initiative, highlighting his pivotal role in identifying the space and allocating resources to establish the new office.
With equal enthusiasm, she praised UN Women Somalia’s tireless support towards establishing the fully operational UH WPC Resource Centre, saying, “The Caucus members now have a space that fosters collaboration and empowerment. Whether it is drafting bills, shaping strategies or enhancing members’ capacity, this Resource Centre will serve as a launchpad for meaningful progress.”
Abdinasir Ibrahim Gulled, Secretary General, stated that this initiative would not have been possible without the courage of the UH WPC Chairperson, Senator Saredo, recognizing her high level of commitment, and the leadership provided by the Upper House in providing her with the support she needed. He applauded UN Women Somalia’s steadfast support of the women Caucus members, including a recent regional experience-sharing visit to Rwanda, which strengthened the Caucus members’ capacities to influence law and policymaking in Somalia, noting, “The Caucus could significantly input to the recently ratified National Election Law that has the provision of a 30 per cent quota for women.”
A Joint Session of the Federal House of the People-HoP and Upper House of Somalia ratified the new National Electoral Law on 23 November 2024 with the 30 per cent quota of legislative seats to be held for women. Somalia’s women leaders and advocates from all walks of life, including government and civil society, conveyed appreciation to the government and the parliamentarians for the success.
Dr. Sadiq Syed, Head of UN Women Somalia, congratulated the Women’s Caucus and the leadership of the Parliament for the inauguration of the Resource Centre for women parliamentarians. He highlighted that this initiative would not have been able to reach this level without the support of the Secretary-General and the WPC Chairperson. He reaffirmed UN Women Somalia’s continued technical support to the seven Women’s Caucuses across the country and expressed his admiration for their commitment to fulfilling their mandates. He also acknowledged the UH and HoP Women’s Caucuses initiative for developing an action plan for the implementation of the 30 per cent quota in Somalia.