UN Women Africa
Wednesday April 13, 2022
UN Women Somalia, in partnership with the Federal Ministry
of Women and Human Rights Development (MoWHRD) and Ministries of Women,
Jubaland and South West State launched two research studies focused on gender,
climate and conflict analysis, and market assessments of micro-business
opportunities at a high level event in Mogadishu on 30 March, 2022: “Gender,
climate and conflict analysis in Somalia and assessment of opportunities for
climate agriculture and livelihood opportunities for crisis-affected and at risk
women in Somalia” and “Market assessment of microbusiness opportunities for
women in IDP communities and their host communities in Jubaland and South West
Somalia”.
Thanks to the Government of Japan-funded “Women’s Leadership, Empowerment, Access and
Protection” (LEAP) project, UN Women provided focused support to around 7,400
internally displaced (IDP) and other marginalized women in Kismayo and Baidoa
through promoting opportunities for climate security, climate smart
agriculture, livelihoods and business skills.
Attending were ministers and senior officials from the
Federal Government of Somalia, Minister of Women and Human Rights Development,
Hon. Hanifa Ibrahim Mohamed; Deputy Special Representative of the
Secretary-General, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Dr Adam
Abdelmoula; the Jubaland Minister of Gender and Family Affairs, Hon. Adar
Ismail Abdullahi; Southwest Minister of Women, Family Affairs and Human Rights,
Hon. Fahima Osman; representatives of ministries of agriculture in Jubaland and South West State, representatives from FAO,
CARE International, Ifrah Foundation and other civil society organizations
(CSOs) and stakeholders.
Dr Adam Abdelmoula extended thanks for implementation of the
LEAP project in humanitarian settings and appreciated the Government of Japan
for funding this project and UN Women for support.
“Somalia is one of the most complex and longstanding
countries with humanitarian crises in the world. With all the ongoing armed
conflicts, insecurity, cyclical climatic shocks, locust invasion, political
instability, socioeconomic vulnerability, and prevailing COVID-19 continued to
fuel the humanitarian crisis and negatively impacted livelihoods, particularly
for women and girls,” he said.
Minister of Women and Human Rights Development, Federal
Government of Somalia Hanifa Ibrahim commended UN Women’s support and work
towards gender equality and SDG5.
Minister Hanifa Ibrahim said they are working with UN Women
and partners to support and campaign for the minimum 30 per cent quota for
women in federal elections. The two studies focused on addressing barriers
marginalized women and those with disabilities face in agriculture in Kismayo
and Baidoa.
Dr Syed Sadiq, UN Women Somalia, Country Programme Manager
extended appreciation to the government of Somalia, the CSOs, Community leaders
and Consulting firms for the partnership in implementation of the Women
Leadership, Empowerment, Access, and Protection (LEAP) Project and in promoting
Women’s climate resilience and economic empowerment initiatives in Jubaland and
Southwest states of Somalia with funding support from the government of Japan.
Minister of Women, Family Affairs, and Human Rights
(MoWFAHR) Adar Ismail Abdullahi, said, “I am very glad to say that women have
benefited from this project, provided practical support and skills to promote
integrations and social cohesion among the targeted community, and improved
livelihoods…”
She said Jubaland state elected seven women to Somalia’s
federal parliament Somalia out of 27 seats in Kismayo. The ministry will also
continue efforts to achieve the 30 per cent women quota in elections for
remaining seats in Garbaharey.
Minister of Southwest State Ministry of Women Family Affairs
and Human Rights Development Fahima Osman Omar said the South West State is the
most populated and women are the most vulnerable due to insecurity and
insurgency. It is the most fertile land in Somalia, but instability and
insecurity have forced IDPs to flee their homes. Sixty-nine members of federal
parliament were elected from Southwest of these 16 are women.
Ezana Kazza from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
said, “Based on the recommendations provided in these studies, FAO is very keen
to technically support the activities related to agriculture in coordination
and collaboration with the Ministries of Women and UN Women. Women need to be
equipped with the necessary tools and practices to ensure their adaptation to
climate change issues.”
Mohamed Mursal, of the Ministry of Agriculture in Jubaland
echoed this and said, “Women play a key role in agriculture either as farmers
or sellers, for instance, 96 per cent of people selling agricultural products
in the markets are women.”
Abdillahi Hassan, DG of Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest
stated that more women are in need of humanitarian assistance due to the
droughts in Southwest and other parts of the country and inflations and
therefore the new phase of this project is expected to exclusively target
women.