When Women Become Pawns: A Recent Scandal Unfolds in Somalia
In a deeply troubling incident that has shocked a nation grappling with the intersection of culture, politics, and gender, a clan elder in northern Somalia publicly announced his intention to “gift” a young girl to Ali Yusuf Hosh, the country’s Minister of Interior and a sitting MP. The ceremony in Laascaanood was ostensibly a celebration, but it unearthed painful truths about the persistent issues of child marriage and entrenched misogyny that plague Somali society.
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A Political Gift or a Warning Sign?
During the ceremony, King Khadar Ali Jama, the clan elder, praised Hosh for his role in establishing a controversial new regional administration in northeast Somalia. His words, though framed within a cultural context, carried the weight of approval for an act that many observers decried as child abuse. “The girl and the horse are at Adhi Cadeeye village. We will marry her to you once you come for the inauguration,” Jama declared, as Hosh accepted the “gift” with a smile and a handshake.
The incident, which rapidly spread across Somali social media, ignited significant outrage. Many along the globe’s digital airwaves described it in terms that evoked historical horrors: “This is modern-day slavery dressed up as culture,” said Afifa Warsame, a prominent women’s rights advocate. Such reactions highlight how this incident is not merely an isolated event, but rather a reflection of a deeper societal malaise that threatens the future of women and girls in Somalia.
The Reality of Gender-Based Violence in Somalia
In Somalia, toxic societal norms have long normalized sexual violence and child marriage, categorizing them as acceptable practices under the guise of tradition. Often, perpetrators escape prosecution altogether, with the grim irony that marrying a victim is presented as a form of justice. Anab Abdullahi, a women’s rights activist based in Mogadishu, lamented this tragic reality: “Rape survivors are silenced, shamed, or forced to marry their rapists. This is not justice — it is institutionalized abuse.”
Statistics paint a grim picture: UNICEF reports that 45% of Somali girls are married off before the age of 18, while a staggering 98% face female genital mutilation (FGM). These figures reveal a society where women are often viewed as commodities, their value tied directly to dowries and political maneuverings. The recently stalled Sexual Offences Bill, which could outlaw practices like forced marriages, serves as a chilling reminder of the institutional barriers that perpetuate this cycle of abuse.
Voices of Resistance and Fear
The outcry from Somali citizens following the Laascaanood incident highlights a growing demand for change. Sacdiya Sulayman, a young woman from the Sool region, voiced her horror at the event: “It feels like girls are treated like animals, like livestock exchanged for political favors. They are not respected as humans. I am scared for myself and for other Somali girls.” Her words resonate deeply amidst rising fears for the safety and dignity of young women in the country.
The culture of silence surrounding sexual violence is maddeningly persistent. In July, Laascaanood was rocked by a case involving the gang rape of two displaced sisters. Despite public outrage and arrests of the suspects, many felt the justice system had let them down. The men accused of the heinous crime remain untried, reinforcing a sentiment of hopelessness that many citizens share regarding the government’s ability—or willingness—to protect its most vulnerable members.
Silence from Leaders: A Failure of Accountability
The government’s inaction and silence on issues of gender-based violence enhance the crisis. In the wake of the Laascaanood scandal, no public condemnation has come from Minister Hosh or the Somali federal government. This absence of accountability echoes through the communities, where the belief that powerful figures are beyond reproach intensifies frustration and despair.
Abdirahman Dahir, a university student, articulated this pervasive disillusionment: “If a minister can accept a girl as a gift on camera, and rapists can go free after brutalizing displaced children, what hope is there for justice in Somalia?” His words penetrate any veneer of respectability that surrounds political processes overshadowed by patriarchal structures.
A Call to Action: The Fight for Girls’ Rights
The disturbing case involving Minister Hosh serves as a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead in Somalia. The treatment of women and girls must change. For a nation struggling to overcome decades of violence and instability, protecting Somali girls has become essential, not optional; it is foundational for building a just and equitable society.
This incident compels us to ask: what does our silence enable? How can nations, international organizations, and local communities unite to ensure that girls are not treated merely as transactions or political bargaining chips? As the scandal unfolds, we are left not only with indignation but also with an urgent call to action, for oppressive norms can only be dismantled through collective efforts.
The case of Ali Yusuf Hosh and the young girl in Laascaanood is emblematic of a larger crisis facing women and girls in Somalia. Until society confronts and challenges normalization around sexual violence and child marriage, the cycle of abuse will continue, holding generations captive in a system that disregards their basic rights.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
