Women in Somaliland politics fighting for changes

Somaliland currently has 15 registered political organisations. The three who win the most votes in a national poll will become the political parties which compete in parliamentary and presidential elections.

Only one of the political organisations is run by a woman. This is Ogaal whose chairperson is Rooda Abdi Muse, one of the few women who has been active in politics in Somaliland for the past 10 years. It is not an easy life.

In last year’s elections, not a single woman was elected to parliament. Somaliland is the only place in Africa without a female MP. There are only three women among 220 elected local councillors. The situation is worse than before when prior to the 2021 poll, there was one woman MP and nine female councillors.

“The biggest challenge I face is a lack of support,” says Rooda. “14 men are running against me and all of them have the backing of their communities, something I do not have. No group supports me. I am alone. But I won’t give up. I am proud of my politics and hope that the culture here does not exclude me from winning.”

Rooda is well qualified to run for a political position. She studied in Europe and has held various roles related to social issues, including health and campaigning for women to be given a role in Somali politics.

“I am running for election as I want to be an example to all girls and women in Somaliland. We all have the right to enter politics, especially as about 60 percent of those who vote in Somaliland are women. Women should vote for other women but they don’t. They need to be made aware of their rights and learn that it is acceptable for a woman to become a politician.”

Pressure groups have for years campaigned for a quota of 30% of political positions to be reserved for women in Somaliland. They face significant challenges including a lack of financial resources for female candidates, a lack of support from electoral bodies and voters, and prejudice from their clans and communities. International election observers have called for the law to be changed to ensure female representation.

Although Rooda has a long battle ahead, her determination and passion might help change attitudes towards women in politics, one of the biggest obstacles to their inclusion in politics in Somaliland.

By Naciima Saed Salah, Reporter, Bilan Media