Statement by Ambassador Byrne Nason at UN Security Council on Somalia - Women, Peace and Security
Statement
28 September 2021I want to start by thanking you Deputy Secretary General for your general leadership and your particular leadership today in supporting women’s political participation in Somalia.
I also want to sincerely thank Dr. Dini for joining us today. I know that the Irish Foreign Minister greatly appreciated your insights when you met with him in Mogadishu in July. I was particularly struck by your heartfelt presentation. I express my deep condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks this weekend, including Ms. Abukar, whose death was a tragic reminder of the toll that Somalia’s conflict continues to extract from the women of Somalia, including those who are courageously working for change.
Let us be clear. The world over, there is direct correlation between the political participation of women and stability, peace and prosperity of their societies. Women’s participation in every aspect of public life is a sine qua non for sustained peace and security. In Somalia, the upcoming national elections represent an opportunity to build on the progress made and to see women assume their rightful place at helm of society.
In 2019, the landmark Somalia Women’s Charter set a target for women’s participation in all aspects of Somali public life at 50%. The leaders of the Federal Government and Federal Member States took the next steps towards that goal when they recommitted to the 30 percent quota for women’s representation for upcoming parliamentary elections.
The measures subsequently taken to reduce registration fees for women candidates, to appoint Goodwill Ambassadors to advocate for greater women’s inclusion, and to enhance security arrangements for women candidates, were also very welcome as practical steps to bolster that effort.
However, just over a month ago in this very chamber, we heard from our civil society sister, Ms. Gabale, that a concrete mechanism to implement that 30 percent quota, and I quote, “remains elusive and challenging”. I urge Somalia’s leaders to take further measures to translate their commitments into practice, including reserving 30 percent of the seats in both houses of parliament for women.
We continue to receive reports that women political candidates are held back by insecurity and intimidation. This cannot stand. The Somali Government must do everything in its power to create a safe environment for all women candidates. I encourage all stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach to empowering women, including by providing post-election support to newly elected women parliamentarians to facilitate them fulfilling their legislative role.
I am deeply alarmed at the shocking increases in sexual and gender-based violence and in conflict-related sexual violence outlined by SRSG Patten just recently.
During his visit to Somalia in July, Ireland’s Foreign Minister heard first hand from women civil society leaders working both to provide protection to survivors, and to challenge the conditions, which allow this violence to flourish. I urge the Somali authorities to take immediate steps to protect women and girls from all forms of violence, including sexual and gender based violence. I also call on Somali authorities to immediately carry out a credible investigation into the disappearance of Ms. Ikran Tahlil.
The political participation of women, and their protection from violence, go hand in hand. Only by tackling gender inequality, including through the political participation of women, will we be able to root out gender-based violence.
At this crucial moment for Somalia’s political future, I believe that Somalia’s leadership has the courage to set aside differences and put the people of Somalia first. We cannot allow further delays in the electoral process. I urge Somalia’s leaders to urgently implement the electoral process, including, importantly the 30 per cent women’s quota. Somalia’s people, Somalia’s women, deserve no less.
Thank you.
1. I want to start by thanking you Deputy Secretary General for your general leadership and your particular leadership today in supporting women’s political participation in Somalia.
2. I also want to sincerely thank Dr. Dini for joining us today. I know that the Irish Foreign Minister greatly appreciated your insights when you met with him in Mogadishu in July. I was particularly struck by your heartfelt presentation. I express my deep condolences to the families of the victims of the attacks this weekend, including Ms. Abukar, whose death was a tragic reminder of the toll that Somalia’s conflict continues to extract from the women of Somalia, including those who are courageously working for change.
3. Let us be clear. The world over, there is direct correlation between the political participation of women and stability, peace and prosperity of their societies. Women’s participation in every aspect of public life is a sine qua non for sustained peace and security. In Somalia, the upcoming national elections represent an opportunity to build on the progress made and to see women assume their rightful place at helm of society.
4. In 2019, the landmark Somalia Women’s Charter set a target for women’s participation in all aspects of Somali public life at 50%. The leaders of the Federal Government and Federal Member States took the next steps towards that goal when they recommitted to the 30 percent quota for women’s representation for upcoming parliamentary elections.
5. The measures subsequently taken to reduce registration fees for women candidates, to appoint Goodwill Ambassadors to advocate for greater women’s inclusion, and to enhance security arrangements for women candidates, were also very welcome as practical steps to bolster that effort.
6. However, just over a month ago in this very chamber, we heard from our civil society sister, Ms. Gabale, that a concrete mechanism to implement that 30 percent quota, and I quote, “remains elusive and challenging”. I urge Somalia’s leaders to take further measures to translate their commitments into practice, including reserving 30 percent of the seats in both houses of parliament for women.
7. We continue to receive reports that women political candidates are held back by insecurity and intimidation. This cannot stand. The Somali Government must do everything in its power to create a safe environment for all women candidates. I encourage all stakeholders to adopt a holistic approach to empowering women, including by providing post-election support to newly elected women parliamentarians to facilitate them fulfilling their legislative role.
8. I am deeply alarmed at the shocking increases in sexual and gender-based violence and in conflict-related sexual violence outlined by SRSG Patten just recently.
9. During his visit to Somalia in July, Ireland’s Foreign Minister heard first hand from women civil society leaders working both to provide protection to survivors, and to challenge the conditions, which allow this violence to flourish. I urge the Somali authorities to take immediate steps to protect women and girls from all forms of violence, including sexual and gender based violence. I also call on Somali authorities to immediately carry out a credible investigation into the disappearance of Ms. Ikran Tahlil.
10. The political participation of women, and their protection from violence, go hand in hand. Only by tackling gender inequality, including through the political participation of women, will we be able to root out gender-based violence.
11. At this crucial moment for Somalia’s political future, I believe that Somalia’s leadership has the courage to set aside differences and put the people of Somalia first. We cannot allow further delays in the electoral process. I urge Somalia’s leaders to urgently implement the electoral process, including, importantly the 30 per cent women’s quota. Somalia’s people, Somalia’s women, deserve no less.
12. Thank you.