Outcome SOM_D_2.2

Somalis, particularly women and youth, benefit from and participate in functional, inclusive, accountable, and transparent democratic systems across all levels of government and governmental institutions.

T hrough Phase I of the Women, Peace and Protection Programme, UN Women Somalia contributed to strengthening inclusive and functional democratic systems by embedding women’s participation and leadership across governance structures. The launch and operationalization of Somalia’s first National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325 and six localized LAPs institutionalized WPS priorities at both national and state levels, while advisory support to ministries and electoral bodies ensured gender-responsive policymaking. Women’s Parliamentary Caucuses and Peace Networks provided formal and grassroots platforms for women to influence decision-making, mediate conflicts, and engage in governance processes, resulting in increased representation in district councils and the drafting of gender policies and sexual offences bills. Community-level engagement through dialogues, advocacy campaigns, and youth mobilization reached over 900 stakeholders, raising awareness of the 30% quota and shifting societal attitudes in favor of women’s leadership. These combined efforts including policy reform, institutional capacity-building, and norm change; advanced women’s and youth’s ability to participate in accountable and transparent governance, laying the foundation for more inclusive democratic systems across Somalia.

Somalis, particularly women and youth, benefit from and participate in functional, inclusive, accountable, and transparent democratic systems across all levels of government and governmental institutions.

Somalia advanced the result of women and girls benefitting from and participating in functional, inclusive, accountable, and transparent democratic systems across all levels of government and governmental institutions. There was a significant progress in advancing gender-responsive legal frameworks as a new National Electoral Law to include 30% women's quota was ratified in a joint session for the Federal House of the People (HoP) and Upper House on 23rd November 2024 for the first time in Somalia. In 2024, one new Women's Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) was established in Jubaland state bringing the total number of existing WPCs to seven including one each in the Upper House, House of the People and five Federal Member State (FMS) parliaments. In addition, the Galmudug state enacted an anti-FGM Act in March 2024. Similarly, the National Reconciliation Framework (NRF) was reviewed and integrated gender elements. The National Stabilization Strategy also recommends that programme interventions should aim to utilize 30% of available funds in support of gender and diversity-based initiative. In May 2024, the Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development adopted the National Strategy to End Violence Against Women and Girls 2024 – 2029. Further, a significant result in building the women’s movement in Somalia was achieved through launching the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Somalia Chapter at national level and in all five Federal Member States (FMSs). The AWLN comprises of women leaders from across political parties, clans and other walks of life, and it was able to push for Women, Peace and Security agenda for the country as the AWLN national chapters met at the regional level. However, there was a regression in the number of women in the Federal Parliaments from 68 in 2023 to 66 in 2024 (52 in the House of the People, 14 Upper in the Upper House). Five key processes (Electoral Law with 30% women quota, Anti-FGM Act by Galmudug state, National Reconciliation Framework (NRF) as well as two Local Action Plans on UNSCR 1325 mentioned under the outcome 1.1) were influenced by Civil Society Organizations through UN Women support. UN Women contributed to the results by strengthening the technical and financial capacity of Government, Women Rights Organizations, Civil society Organizations and working with individuals/opinion leaders by providing technical advice, conducting training, advocacy campaigns and peer-to-peer learning. UN Women also partnered with UNCT and UNDP and UNSOM though a Joint Programme on Women Peace and Protection (WPP).