UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed (foreground right) meets women leaders in Mogadishu, Somalia (UN Photo)
Mogadishu (UNA-OIC) – UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed visited Somalia on Sunday, to express her solidarity with Somali women’s calls for full and equal participation in political life, and the support of the international community for timely, inclusive, peaceful and credible elections.
In her various meetings in the capital, Mogadishu, Ms. Mohammed highlighted the country’s parliamentary elections as an opportunity to build on the progress made in women’s political participation.
She also emphasized that women’s full inclusion in all sectors of society would contribute to greater resilience, peace, and stability in the Horn of Africa country.
Currently, Somalia is holding elections for its Upper House, and is preparing for elections for its Lower House, known as the House of the People.
The UN and Somalia’s other international partners have been heavily engaged in supporting national efforts to advance the poll, frequently voicing support for greater inclusion of women in the country’s political arena and urging leaders to safeguard a 30 percent minimum quota.
“Somalia achieved a milestone at its last elections in 2016/17 with 24 percent of parliamentary seats filled by women, and I am hopeful that the country will build on this by expanding women’s participation even further,” said Ms. Mohammed. “Ensuring the 30 percent quota is met is an important first step to full representation and inclusive society. The peace dividend will not happen without women.”
