Generation Equality Somalia
Generation Equality in Somalia is implemented through the Somalia Generation Equality Forum, organized by the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development with support from UN Women. The forum addresses critical issues such as women’s economic empowerment gender-based violence, and access to healthcare. And education. It provides a platform for collaboration among the government, international partners, civil society, and other stakeholders. A key aspect includes advocating for legal frameworks likeRape and Indecency , and Related Offenses Bill to protect women’s rights and ensure justice for survivors. The forum also focuses on localizing global gender equality commitments and translating them into national and local actions.
Through the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development, the government of Somalia plays a pivotal role by organizing the Generation Equality Forum. The government of Somalia is a commitment maker under the action coalition on GBV where it Signatures collective commitment for Member States on Gender Responsive Policing; Accelerating Global Action to End Harmful Practices Against Women and Girls in all their diversity; and scaling up evidence-based prevention of GBV. It also cooperates with international partners and civil society to address economic disparities and gender-based violence.
The government also Commit to approving and full implementation of existing GBV laws and policies by adopting GBV indicators in the Government Performance, contracting framework to track duty-bearers’ level of accountability on enforcement and implementation of GBV laws and policies by 2025. Ensure that victims' and survivors’ rights are fully protected through formal and alternative Justice Systems and that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions/ crimes by supporting the Institutionalized Specialist Justice System and Structure for Management cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls. Commits to ratify and implement the ILO Convention 190 on eliminating Gender-Based Violence and Harassment in the world of work by 2026 in close partnership with the international and private sectors. Finally, it commits to Implementing the Male Involvement Strategy on prevention and Response to GBV as well as social norm change using CSOs and Youth groups.
The government commits to ensuring Women's full participation in leadership under the Economic Rights and Justice AC. Progress has been made towards increasing the availability of support mechanisms for promoting women’s participation in leadership and decision-making through the establishment of an interim Steering Committee for the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), with the selection of members and the formal launch of the AWLN Steering Committee in December 2023.
Somali parliamentarians are actively participating by pledging to promote legislation that safeguards the rights of women and children. Additionally, government officials emphasize the importance of addressing Somali women's various challenges, ensuring progress toward generation equality opportunities for Somali girls in education, politics, and the economy. Initiatives like resuming free medical services for women at Banadir Hospital highlight the government’s commitment to improving access to healthcare.
Achievements of Generation Equality in Somalia
- Establishing the Somalia Generation Equality Forum, to address gender equality issues and foster collaboration.
- The start of free medical services for women at Banadir Hospital, to foster access to quality healthcare.
- Increased commitment from Somali parliamentarians to advance legislation that promotes children's and women’s rights.
- Equipping stakeholders with strategies to localize international gender equality commitments and integrate them into Somalia's local and national contexts.
- National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 – Somalia became the 99th country to adopt and implement this plan, focusing on women's protection, participation, and prevention of GBV.
- Sexual Offense Bill – Adopted by the Cabinet in December 2023, awaiting Parliamentary approval to strengthen legal protection against sexual violence.
- Anti-FGM Bill – Developed with stakeholder consultations, awaiting Cabinet endorsement to legally ban FGM.
- National Strategy on Combating Violence Against Women and Girls – Adopted in April 2024, outlining policies to reduce GBV.
- Political Representation – Women hold 21% of parliamentary seats, and Somalia elected its first female Speaker of Parliament.
- Civil Service Inclusion – Women constitute 20% (2,500 out of 7,500 staff) in the civil
- Women Parliamentary Caucus – Established and operational in both the Upper House and House of the People, enhancing women's leadership and decision-making.
- Capacity Building – Training conducted on transformational leadership, legislative drafting, and inclusion of women in leadership.
- The Early Warning System (EWS) has been established to strengthen Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) in Somalia with a dedicated focus on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).
