Sabahi Online
Saturday, March 09, 2013
Somalis marked International Women's Day on Friday (March 8th) with
calls to end violence against women, UN-funded Radio Bar-Kulan reported.
Ceremonies in Mogadishu, Garowe, Bosaso, Hargeisa and other Somali
towns were held under the theme "A promise is a promise: Time for action
to end violence against women".
UN Special Representative to Somalia Augustine Mahiga said Somalis
should take into account the strides the country has made in women's
rights, adding that there is still a ways to go.
"We must not forget those women who remain powerless in Somalia and
those who are subjected to violence and discrimination," he said in a
statement. "Violence against women is still a reality in Somalia; it is
imperative that all allegations of sexual violence and violence against
women are investigated fully and perpetrators are brought to justice."
"Somali women have clearly demonstrated their potential in
participating, resolving conflict, building and bringing prosperity to
the nation," he said. "This natural resource must be fully tapped in the
new Somalia."