Out of 197 delegates from 57 different nations attending the event, only 21 were men.
Earlier this week, the event’s group photo sparked a wave of skepticism online from Somalis. Many argued that women’s issues aren’t prioritized by the government.
Social media brimmed with snapshots from the conference: General Jama appeared alongside his adviser, former MP Abdullahi Godah Barre, and in another image, they conversed with another gentleman, identified by the BBC as an aide.
“He wasn’t the sole male minister; the assembly included numerous others from countries like Japan and China,” explained Mohamed Bashir, a senior official at Somalia’s Ministry of Family and Human Development, to the BBC.
Among the female Somali delegates were Iman Elman, a notable military leader, and Sadia Mohammed Nur from the ministry, Bashir added.
The internet uproar reignited debates over the government’s July move to rename the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development to simply the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development.
This shift occurred when General Jama was appointed as the head of this ministry, having a background with posts like the spy agency and prisons service.
“Stripping ‘women’ from the ministry’s name dismisses women’s unique challenges and needs,” observed Ms. Absie.
Somalia’s women’s rights have long been under the microscope.
Women, amidst the backdrop of a prolonged civil war and recent Islamist insurgency, have taken considerable strides in peace initiatives, stepping up with leadership and advocating for deeper political involvement.
Yet, the political landscape features few women in positions of authority.
“Women were always sidelined in leadership, and now they’ve ceded the remaining ministries to men,” Ms. Absie remarked.
Some defenders of the government saw no issue with an experienced man leading the family ministry.
Nonetheless, advocacy for a substantial female presence is gaining momentum—Mr. Bashir noted that the ministry aims to elevate women’s roles in future endeavors.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
