MOGADISHU, Somalia – The Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, H.E. Amb. Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, officially presided over the opening of a comprehensive two-day workshop today aimed at enhancing the role of women in Somalia’s national leadership. The event, organized by the Somali Gender Equality Movement (SOMGEM), convened a diverse group of women leaders, civil society organizations, and advocates to strategize on increasing female participation in the country’s decision-making processes.
In her opening remarks, Minister Al-Makhzoumi emphasized that the Ministry is moving beyond advocacy toward concrete legislative reform. She noted that for the first time in Somalia’s history, the 30% women’s quota has been explicitly integrated into both the Electoral Law and the Political Parties Bill. This structural change is complemented by recent Council of Ministers’ approvals for several landmark pieces of legislation, including:
1. The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention Bill
2. The Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Prevention Bill
3. The Family Affairs Bill
”These legislative milestones are not just symbols; they are the legal bedrock upon which the rights and leadership of Somali women will be built,” the Minister stated. “By securing these protections and quotas, we are ensuring that women are no longer just participants in the room, but architects of our nation’s future.”
The Minister concluded by urging the workshop participants to produce a set of actionable, practical recommendations. These insights will be utilized by the Ministry to refine and strengthen the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to promote gender equality and ensure that every Somali woman has the opportunity to lead.