Introduction

Somalia continues to struggle with efforts to establish a stable democracy that serves its citizens. In an uphill battle to put democratic institutions in place, Somali women have been largely left behind as their roles in politics and governance continue to be extremely limited, perpetuating gender inequalities across society. But despite these obstacles, recent advances in the form of 30% quota for women representation suggest a progressive move towards a more inclusive society. For this to be realized; women themselves need to have proper capacities and be sufficiently motivated to take up the opportunities. The indirect elections framework of September 17th, 2020 and the final improved agreement on 27th May, 2021, contained the provisions of 30% quota for women albeit with no clear mechanisms to achieve the quota and ensure its full implementation. In order to capacity build women and boost their participation in 2021 election by taking advantage of the 30% quota provision SOYVA with support from UNFPA and Somali Lifeline Organization (SOLO) conducted two days training workshop for women participants in South West State of Somalia.

The workshop that was held in Baidoa at Haldoor hotel on 4th -5th Sep 2021 engaged a total of 60 participants who were mainly young women aspirants, women candidates, members of current parliament, former women members of parliament, business women, women scholars, activists, CSOs representative, clan elders and representatives of South West State Ministry of Women, Family Affairs and Human Rights Development (MOWFAHRD) .The workshop was divided into 6 sessions spread over the two days of the training and all participants were provided with printed schedules for the two days.

Background

South West Federal Member State is one of the official federal states of Somalia with capital in Baidoa. The state is regarded as very significant region when it comes to Somalia politics as its one of the swing regions producing the highest number of Members of parliament more than any other FMSs. Currently as per the indirect elections framework of 17th Sep, 2020. The region will have two polling stations located at Baidoa and Barawe. Baidoa will have 44 seats and Barawe will have 25 seats which totals to 69 seats making it the highest representation compared to other FMSs. With the highest number of seats, the region produces insignificant number of women as MPs. The large number of seats up for grab in 2021 elections present women yet again another opportunity to claim inclusivity in politics and decision making.

The Objectives of the workshop

During the two day activity, SOYVA facilitators outlined objectives of the training to the participants. These include:

1. Enhance effort towards the full realization of 30% women quota in South West federal member state of Somalia.
2. Strengthen the capacity of women aspirants in South West federal member state of Somalia
3. Help in advancing women aspirants’ skills in planning for their candidature, formulating their manifestos, public engagement strategies, financial strategy and engagement of mainstream as well as social media.
4. Enhance the public speaking and negotiation skills of women aspirants in South west federal member state of Somalia
5. Create common understanding and awareness among women on what indirect election system entails.
6. Sensitize women on the 17th Sep, 2020 agreement and the Baidoa memorandum of understanding (MoU).

METHODOLOGIES/APPROACHES USED DURING THE TRAINING

1. PRESENTATION:

The SOYVA facilitators Mr. Abdirahman Moalim Abshir and Mrs. Saida Ibrahim Mohamed presented the training in form of the power-point presentation.

Key skills that are critical to women to advance their political campaigns and public engagement were emphasized during these presentations session and to practically help the women demonstrate and showcase these skills, women participants were given opportunities at the podium to present and talk to fellow participants. Some of these skills include:

• Public speaking and interpersonal communication
• Negotiation and lobbying skills
• Campaign manifesto and communication
• Diplomacy and working with elders
• Fundraising and resource mobilization

2. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

The training session provided the literature review and comparative analysis of 2016 and the 2021 indirect elections by providing factual figures on women representation specifically in South West State of Somalia, content differences and opportunities for women in the current agreed electoral framework. The participants were informed that in 2016, we had only 51 delegates to elect the members of parliament and the polling stations was only one city in the federal member states; whereas in the 2021 elections the delegates are made of 101 and the number of polling station increased to two which are Baidoa and Barawe. Also in 2021 we have the introduction of 30% women’s quota to ensure full representation of women in both upper house and the lower house (House of the people).

3. PANEL DISCUSSION

The guest of honors with the background on the importance of female political participation and leadership in Somalia were invited to shade light on ways of achieving the 30% women’s quota and its importance. Then panelists were invited to discuss the topic openly with the participants. The panelist included:

• Adan Maalim Abdirahman Shati-Chairman of Youth Bay Region
• Adan Mayow –University Lecturer
• Saidiya Sheik Adan-Bay Women Group
• Sheikh Abukar –Chairperson of SOSWENSA
• Maryan Ibrahim-Representative of Ministry of women in South west state
• Adan Ali Adan-Chairman of Bay Welfare Association

The panelists were given the following topics for discussion:

• What are the 17th September indirect elections agreement and how does it enhance women participation in the electoral process
• How can we advance the 30% women quota in South West elections
• Are women politician satisfied with the rotational seat?

4. ANALYTICAL CONTRIBUTION BY EXPERTS AND INVITED GUESTS.

To enrich the discussion and obtain practical view point of experienced persons in the society and experts,

SOYVA invited the following persons who contributed to the subject of women inclusion as following:

a). Adan Maalim Abdirahman Shati- As the Chairman of Youth Bay Region, Mr. Adan discussed in detail the significance of including women in all spheres of life. He suggested that women fraternity need to have social, economic and political networking so that they can realize their ambitions. Women who have political and leadership visions have to be given priorities in order to reduce the wide gap that exists in the current women representation. He encouraged women to rally behind one of their own candidate among themselves in order to win easily the competitive seat. He added that women should create good relationship with the elders, religious leaders, husbands and the community at large in order to create political environment that is friendly and women supportive.

Finally, he opined that women should have to exhibit their skills and leadership in trainings and workshops organized by the civil societies, united nation, line ministries and local administration. This will enable them to gain confidence in matters of public speaking and leadership.

Mr. Adan concluded his remarks by registering his votes of thank to the organizers and those who provided the support especially UNFPA and SOLO. He appreciated the good work done by SOYVA in frequently providing such crucial platforms to the young people and the women in South west state.

b). Dr. Adan Mayow-He is university lecturer and one of the prominent personalities in South West state. Addressing the participants, he highly advocated for women inclusion in the system of elders, women to be considered for the delegates and other senior positions in the government. He advised married women to have close relationship with both their clan and in-law clans so that they can have a wide range of opportunities. He encouraged women to attend civic education programs and other workshops so that they can learn from others, learn how to be good public speakers, debaters and develop skills of writing political manifestoes. He thanked SOYVA, UNFPA and SOLO for coming up with this educative programs in order to create awareness among the women and young girls.

c.) Mrs. Saidiya Sheik Adan-Bay Women Group shared her vast experience with her fellow women. She informed the participants that there are times when women cannot speak or walk in the public leave of holding elective or leadership positions adding its now much better for young women to fight for their rights

She said that now that women have acquired quality education and they are competent enough to hold any post including that of the head of the state, young women need to keep the tempo and fight further for more inclusion. She advised fellow women to develop open-mindedness and social skills in order to sell their ideologies to their male counterparts. She added that the previous elections women were ridiculed and

demeaned questioning their capabilities to serve in a public office and that they should not give in to this kind of harassments. They were denied to represent their birth clan as they are suspected of inclining towards the husbands’ clan. Mrs. Sadiyo encouraged women to be united and approach the president of state and the elders so that their reserved seat should not easily be rewarded to men or women who are puppet to serve men’s agenda

She applauded the current administration both at the federal and state level for giving maximum support to women aspirants highlighting that the recent elections in South West fully considered the women quota; and said that representation of women was over 40% past even the required 30% women quota. Thus she congratulated the South West administration led by Mr. Abdiaziz Laftagareen.

d.) Dr. Sheikh Abukar –who is the newly elected chairperson of SOSWENSA, advised women to have far-sighted ambition in order to overcome the current challenges faced by women. He said that women have to see every obstacles whether cultural, religion, economic or family as an opportunity and translate it to a tangible benefit. He highlighted that women should give maximum support to each other in terms of financial, morale, and mentorship so as to compete effectively with men. He informed the participants the role of the civil society in advocating for the women rights, political participation and fight against gender related violence. He added that SOSWENSA was first initiated in South West to respond to the multiple problems facing the society; and idea was to have a platform that pressures the government to respect the basic rights for all adding that political representation is a right of women.

The chairman also informed the session that most workers of SOSWENSA are young women who are well talented in the matters of advocacy and human right; and he encouraged other young girls to start building their carrier from the bottom adding that politics is done at night and women should be aware of that. He said men normally engage each other on political deal at night and day time is just about implementation reached during the night discussions. He encouraged the women to be alert and be informed of how politics is played in silence.

e.) Maryan Ibrahim-Representative of Ministry of women informed the participants that the ministry of women in South West normally has a meeting with the public twice a month to hear their challenges and provide way forward. She added that ministry encourages women by providing motivational talk, advocacy campaign and also register their grievances in order to share it in the cabinet meetings.She highlighted that the ministry of women provides awareness and advocacy campaign and advised women to attend such workshop and to take advantage of these opportunities. She remarked that women have talent, creativity and capabilities that can have positive impact on the society adding that Ministry of women highly welcome the civic education by

SOYVA in collaboration and support from UNFPA and SOLO. Mrs. Maryan requested SOYVA to continue with mentorship training and awareness campaign for the young girls and women.

f.) Mr. Adan Ali Adan-who is the Chairman of Bay Welfare association, contributed to theme by stating that such trainings have significant benefit to the society specially the youth and the women. He said that it brings experienced people together to share their opinions, knowledge and past experience with young people. Mr. Adan stated that this kind of gatherings bring love, unity and social cohesion among the society and encouraged SOYVA and its partners to continue holding such civic forums and extend it to different sections of the communities including the elders, marginalized communities and youth. He concluded that as administrative, they shall support the activities of the civil society and promised to give maximum support.

ACTIVITIES FOR THE TWO DAYS

Day 1

The workshop was officially opened and kicked off with registration done by Mr Mohamed Abdisalam, a program manager of SOYVA. This was followed by a quick opening remarks by Mr. Abdirahman Moalim Abshir and Mrs. Saida Ibrahim who are facilitators of SOYVA to set the stage. They took the participants through the expectations of the two day’s training that covered the theme of strengthening the capacity of women aspirant and advancing the 30% quota while also informing the participants that the workshop will be delivered through presentation, panel discussion, Contribution and views from the invited guests as well as focus group discussion (FGD). The following expectations were set.

• Increased awareness on women’s civil and political rights;
• More women aspirants in the upcoming House of the people elections.
• More networking and exposure for young women throughout the training interactions.
• Greater advocacy for the implementation of the 30% women’s representation quota in the 2021 election in Somalia;
• Conversion of the highlighted challenges into opportunities and act as experience to learn from it;
• Identification of strategies to enhance the promotion of women’s civil and political rights, especially through political participation and representation;
• Establishment of synergies among women and community leaders in the South West State of Somalia, to promote women’s rights and political participation.
• Clear understanding of the indirect election system according to the agreed upon framework of 17th September 2020.
• Positive media campaign for women candidates and outlining the strength of women by airing the successful women in politics, governance and peace building activities. This will boost the morale of those women vying for the political seat in the upcoming indirect elections.
• Good relationship between traditional elders (delegates) and women. To break a cycle of skepticism and mistrust; develop the skills and motivation to successfully interact with elders. At the same time, traditional elders could be encouraged to create space for them by removing barriers to women involvement
• Improved women participation and involvement in electoral management body as delegates, technical implementing committees, poll station workers, dispute resolution committee, volunteer election observers and community educators on politics as well as voting
• Advanced use of online platforms for knowledge sharing and networking among politically engaged women. Social media, blogs and other online tools that can give educated female citizens a voice for political activism, and open channels for direct feedback between government officials and women.
• Improved leadership skills, negotiation skills, public speaking, networking skills and campaign management and advocacy
• Ending of cultural stigma attached to women entering government and politics, and in particular

adopting positions of leadership by inviting the traditional elders to explain clearly on the need to have inclusivity and empower women folk.

Session 1: The Session provided an overview of changes in the Electoral System in Somalia including the recent changes from 2016/2017 to 2020/2021 elections and the level of women participations by providing comparative analysis. In this session, SOYVA Facilitator Madam Saida highlighted that back May 2016, The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and National Leadership Forum (the NLF – a body of regional and national political leaders) agreed on a hybrid Electoral College model based on a 4.5 clan power-sharing mechanism despite plans for a one-person-one-vote national poll. Elders from 135 clans and sub-clans selected 14,025 members from across the country to vote for 275 MPs in the Lower House (51 members per seat). Mrs Saida also added that there was introduction of a 30% quota of seats reserved for women in both houses of the federal parliament within the electoral framework.

Madam Saida informed the participants that the 2016 introduction of 30% parliamentary gender quota is a turning point towards achieving women’s equal political representation and has set the national agenda for women inclusion in Somalia The session continued shedding light by drawing the attentions of the

participants to the upcoming 2021 indirect elections which is also based on the clan power-sharing formula stipulated in the 17th Sep, 2020 agreement and the final endorsement of the agreement on 27th May, 2021 which provided for a 30% women’s quota as a means of enhancing women representation. A comparative analysis of 2016 indirect elections and 2021 indirect elections showed a major milestone in advancing the indirect elections in Somalia. For instance, the number of delegates was increased from 51 to 101 as well the polling stations were upgraded from one polling to two polling stations in every Federal Member States. The 30% gender quota in 2021 if implemented fully will mean 83 seats for women in Somalia’s lower house of 275 seats.

A comparative analysis was also done on the modalities of agreement in 2016 and 2021 indirect elections. In 2016, there was no agreement signed between the leaders at various level of government; that is the Federal and FMS but for 2020-2021 indirect elections, leaders had a substantive agreement signed and taken through the parliament to be legislated upon. There were various political meetings initiated at the Federal and cascaded down to the FMS which finally gave birth to the 17 Sep, 2020 indirect elections framework and the subsequent 27th May,2021 agreement in Mogadishu.

Session2: This session aimed at explaining the 30% quota for women. Mr. Abdirahman explained to the participants that the proposed political participation for women through the consideration of 30% gender quota has played a significant role in 2016 indirect elections in Somalia. Mr. Abdirahman invited a panel to shade light on the 30% women quota by asking them the following questions with interjections from participants

• Strategies to be used by women candidates in order to achieve their political ambitions.
• How can we curb the rotational seats allocated to women?
• Ways of realizing the 30% gender quota in the upcoming 2021 indirect elections.
• What are the plans for South West women aspirants to clinch many seats in the upcoming elections?
• The government support and institutional mechanisms to facilitate women aspirants.

Mr Abdirahman also formed 5 focus group discussions of 10 members each to discuss and make presentation on the following:

• Why the 30% gender quota is important
• Strategies to be used by women candidates in order to achieve their political ambitions.
• Ways of realization the 30% gender quota in the upcoming 2021 indirect elections
• Differences of 2012, 2016 and 2021 election and the level of women participation
• Obstacles faced by women and the way forward
• Critical skills necessary for campaign and public engagements.
• Use of Social media to build public profile for aspirants

Session 3: The participants were taken through the following importance and ways of enhancing the 30% women’s quota in the upcoming 2021 elections in slide presentation by Abdirahman Abshir and Mrs Saida

1. Promote more inclusive institutions and policies- Strengthening structural and institutional reforms would help grow more enabling and inclusive institutions. This could involve merit-based recruitment and promotion which, along with greater incentives, would encourage the inclusion of women in positions of legitimate influence across different levels of government.

• Supporting alternatives to the 4.5 power-sharing formula may also provide important opportunities for more inclusive power-sharing, and bodies such as the parliamentary

Women’s Caucus may be well placed as a vehicle to support consultation and advocacy around this agenda.

• Working to regulate electoral finances would also be a key way to support the inclusion of women who do not have access to financial resources, but have a desire to run for office.
• Opening up the location of power and decision-making, and strategic engagement with clan and religious leaders may be a particularly helpful strategy in this respect.
• Media campaigns which promote examples of successful and powerful women, in addition to scaling up girls’ education, may also help to shape aspirations and expectations around women leaders

2. Foster women’s political leadership skills and capacities

• Developing ‘hard skills’ in negotiation, influencing and consensus building, and growing technical expertise could help women work with legitimacy in key sectors and at all levels.
• Supporting leadership training and mentorship, linked to positive role models, in addition to creating regular and safe platforms for public dialogue and debate, should further support women to hold and employ power safely.

3. Support movement towards more transformative gender norm change-Shifting discriminatory gender norms, which prohibit women’s political empowerment, may be well supported through critical thinking and consensus based dialogue in the Somali context, helping individuals and communities to frame 30% agenda Quota in new and constructive ways.

4. Enlightening women on their strength and capacity e.g. integrating women coming from diasporas and non-diasporas in order to provide mentorship and capacitate those women aspirants who had no much exposure to the outside world. Also Engagement with women operating at different levels of government with aim on unpacking their experiences and how they can translate in upstream to exact influence at Federal and FMSs in coming up with strong women candidates.

5. Tribal politics is seen to represent one of the most significant barriers to women’s political participation and leadership. Women can indirect strategy to influence clan elders through marriage and circumvent clan barriers by having good relationships with male power holders and building status in their communities.

6. Creating progressive and supportive family environments particularly supportive fathers, aunts and husbands have helped women access and influence in political spaces.

7. Grass-root awareness campaign on women’s social and political rights. The civil societies, clan elders and religious leaders can play a major role in eliminating gender based stereotypes and stigmatization.

8. Mentorship through the current and the former women parliamentarians that can provide better strategies, women alliances and coalition that can foster high participation and motivation among the women aspirants.

9. Women aspirants have to be vocal in launching their campaign manifestos in major TVs and radios as this will enhance their visibility and opportunity to interact with the electorates (delegates).

10. Women should not only focus on securing the seat at the lower and upper house but should ensure the 30% quota is applicable across other field like been part of the delegates, the electoral committee and electoral conflict resolution committee.

14. Investment in and prioritization of girl child education
15. Facilitation of consensus based dialogue on women political empowerment
16. Creation of regular and safe platform for public dialogue and debate for women
17. Promotion of critical thinking to challenge discriminatory gender norms.

DAY2

Session 4: This session was a continuation from day 1. After a brief recap of the discussion on day 1,the participants were taken through the practical side of advancing the 30% women quota. Some of the practical initiatives that women aspirants were challenged to undertake include:

• Formulate campaign manifestos and development agenda
• Seek support of their families, communities and clan at large
• Approach clan elders in partnership with influential supportive family elders
• Conduct fund raising activities
• Identify tech savvy youth supporters to manage campaigns on social media
• Request T.V and Radio stations to be invited to sell campaign manifestos and development agenda
• Find women support groups to conduct awareness among communities.
• Seek support from government institutions
• Identify and work with men supporters to conduct campaigns and act as campaign coach.

Latter in the session, the participants were taken through the following contents of Sept 17 2020 agreement

The Sep 17, 2020 Electoral framework

• The kind of election shall be indirect elections which will take the form of electoral caucuses where the FG and FMS shall nominate independent electoral committee at each level of the government that will work harmoniously.
• Delegates of electoral caucuses shall be formed by community elders, Civil Society and the FMS.
• Caucus should be 101 who will in turn elect an MP
• Each FMS will have 2 places/locations of elections outlined/Mapped that election should take place in
• Somaliland seats should be filled in directly in Mogadishu for the upper and lower houses.
• FMS MPs will elect upper house MPs
• The agreement shall be taken to upper and lower houses and enacted into to electoral law
• Election plan and process should start 1st November, 2020
• The FG and FMS shall provide security at the pooling stations.
• 30% gender quota to be considered for the women.
• Freedom of media to be upheld as provided in the provisional constitution and they should be accorded opportunity to cover the elections freely without intimidation

Session 5: This session aimed at enhancing participant’s knowledge on the various key changes to the 17th Sep, 2020 agreement in order to create awareness among the participants and build a well informed women candidates and aspirants,

The participants were informed about the process that led to 27th May, 2021 resolutions based on Sep 17th 2020 elections framework. The facilitators enlightened them that the resolution came as a result of failed agreement on the modalities of implementing the 17th Sep. Therefore, the National Council Leaders (NCL) reviewed the 17th Sep, 2020 and the 16th Feb, 2021 Baidoa MOU based on the following five points:

• Resolution on the electoral committee
• The electoral committee of Somaliland
• The issue of Gedo regions
• The 30% gender quota
• The election schedule
• The election process in Somalia
• The general security and the election security
• Road map to States building

THE ELECTORAL COMMITTEE

• The council decided, in accordance with the recommendation of the Baidoa Technical Committee that the office of the Prime Minister of the Federal Government be notified by the members of the Electoral Management Committee of the two levels their complaint within 3 days for replacement. The time starts when a consultative the Heads of the National Assembly sign this agreement.
• The Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, upon receipt of the member’s complaint, shall verify the evidence and submit it to the nominee for replacement, and disseminate it within 2 days.
• The electoral committee shall elect from among themselves their chairpersons upon completion.

ELECTIONS SECURITY PROTOCOL

The National Consultative Leaders agreed that:

• Establishment of 9-member security committee, responsible for electoral security, led by the Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, comprising of Federal and Federal Police Commanders, and the AMISOM Police Commissioner.
• The Security committee prepares Special Forces to guard the polling stations, especially the polling stations in Somaliland, the Speaker of both Houses of Parliament and the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
• The National Consultative Leaders instructed all branches of the security forces at both levels not to interfere in political affairs and elections.
• The Electoral Security Committee regularly reports to the National Consultative Leaders to give briefings on the current situation of electoral security issues.

IMPLEMENTATION THE WOMEN’S QUOTA:

The National Consultative Leaders agreed that: In accordance with the agreement of 17 September 2020, the 30% quota for women to be implemented in order to protect representation for women in both Houses. The commitment towards implementation of this was expressed

ELECTION SCHEDULE

The National Consultative Leaders, in anticipation of the delay in the timing of the 2020/2021 and to avoid further delay of the Federal Elections decided that:

• The election to be completed within 60 days as per the proposal of 16th February, 2021 in Baidoa.
• The Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT) should issue a general timetable for the implementation of the elections based on the period specified in letter (1).
• The State Indirect Electoral Implementation Team(SIEIT) should prepare a specific timetable for the election of the Member States in accordance with the schedule of the Federal Indirect Electoral

Implementation Team (FIEIT)

Session 6: This was the final session of the workshop. During this session, The participants were divided into 5 focus group discussions of 10 members each (FGDs) and were given guided question to brainstorm and demonstrate how women aspirants can navigate through various challenges concerning the consideration of 30% women’s quota, the lessons learnt from the two day’s training and the recommendation. The breakaway session took 45 minutes and the facilitators asked the group leaders to present their key findings. The session also provided the facilitators with an opportunity to consolidate key issues and wind up

with training. From their presentations, the five groups demonstrated clear understanding of the following key issues:

• The need for Women alliance with supportive clan elders through effective lobbying to secure adequate representation.
• That realization of 30% gender quota in the upcoming indirect elections depend on creating friendly environment for women aspirants among other factors. Getting endorsement from the most important people like husband, father, brothers and sisters is paramount. Once this is realized, it is easy for women candidates to navigate through the clan elders and compete effectively.
• Knowledge of effective public speaking skills, interpersonal skills, lobbying skills, diplomacy and mobilization skills is critical for women aspirants to secure political positions
• That woman aspirants need to have good working relationships with male clan leaders and other male power-holders within and outside of the political system, in addition to strengthening and maintaining their support base within their communities to enhance their bargaining powers.
• That women can fight off cultural stigma attached to women entering government and politics by demonstrating a balance between family life to safeguard their marriage and public responsibilities
• Through Positive media campaigns and participating in TV as well as radio talk shows women candidates can showcase their leadership and development manifestos that can earn them following and consolidate their support for elective positions.
• Women can work to establish good relationship with traditional elders (delegates) . To break a cycle of skepticism and mistrust; women need to develop the skills and motivation to successfully interact with elders. At the same time, traditional elders could be encouraged to create space for them by removing barriers to women involvement in politics.
• Through participation and involvement in electoral management body as delegates, technical implementing committees, poll station workers, dispute resolution committee, volunteer election observers and community educators, women can effectively show their ability to lead.
• Effective use of online platforms for knowledge sharing and networking among politically engaged women can enhance women candidates’ campaign.
• Women need to continuously sharpen their leadership skills, negotiation skills, public speaking, networking skills and campaign management and advocacy for effective role in political space

The following challenges were also highlighted by the discussion groups:

• Lack of self derive and ambition by women to participate in the decision making process
• Lack of registration fee for women candidates due to high employment rate and poverty
• Negative views hold by the families and clan members that women cannot lead due to their biological nature of bearing children.
• Challenges from the husbands. Most married men do not allow their wife to appear in public gatherings or address people. Many women are threatened with divorce as soon as they harbor the political ambition
• Lack of quality education and illiteracy
• Lack of support from the traditional elders, administration and other stakeholders
• Stereotyping and bullying my members of the society
• Inadequate attention by media and other state machineries towards women candidates
• Low morale and lack of self esteem by Somali women
• Lack of proper policy and constitutional framework guiding women agenda and inclusion in Somalia

Conclusion, Contribution by the participants and Lessons Learnt

Finally, a recap of the two day training was done and the participants reflections were also recorded. The participants were picked randomly to share their views and discuss about the lesions learnt

Mrs. Fardosa Adan Amin who is a participants and an aspirant shared her view on the theme. She thanked the organizers and the partners by organizing this important training for the women. She acknowledged that the two day training has given her enough exposure, knowledge and skills that are critical to advancing her bid of securing a seat in the house of the people from south west state. She urged the civil society organizations to pressure the federal member state organs in ensuring compliance to 30% quota.

Mrs. Suldano Maalin Omar added that women in South west need to have a formidable cooperation in order to defend the 30% quota. She said that women are normally allocated rotational seat which causes conflicts among the clans because each clan do not want to have women as representative. Thus, she proposed the seat for women should be left among women and should not be subjected to the rotational conditions.

Mr. Abdi Adow who is an aspirant for the house of the people shared his past experience cncerning the 2016 indirect elections.He said that during the 2016 indirect elections, the political environment was not safe and people cannot give out freely their opinion and are faced many threats.

He added that people with different political views are either eliminated or denied to contest. Mr Abdi Adow noted that there is significant improvement in 2021 indirect elections. He outlined in 2021 indirect elections,

the number of electorates or delegates are expanded from 51 traditional elders to 101 making the election more of inclusive. He added that in 2016 elections, we had only one polling station whereas in 2021 elections we have two polling stations.

Mr. Abdi also highlighted the 2021 indirect elections consider the women representation by allocating 30% gender quota only meant for women.

He also noted that 2021 elections have many aspirants contesting for either upper or lower house compared to the past elections. He attributed this to friendly political environment, improved security and freedom of speech.

The lessons learnt include:

• The significance of creating network and having support from various quotas of the society including the traditional elders, local administration and the family members.
• The significance of women in the society touching every sphere of life from socio-economic to political and peace building.
• Women should front competent fellow women into leadership position that fight for their rights.
• Educating girl child is educating the whole society and therefore, women should acquire quality education in order to equally compete with men counterparts. Education is empowerment and therefore the young women generation aspirants have to focus on gaining knowledge and leadership skills.
• For women to become successful politicians, it is noted that they should build their rapport with their family and the society, improve on communication skills and also constructive debate.
• That universal suffrage is the only means through which most of systemic challenges hampering women political participation in Somalia.
• Women aspirant have to use lobbying strategy through their family members, husbands and the community at large. Their leadership skills should be seen at the community level before venturing in to the mainstream politics.
• Media platforms are the key strategy that women aspirant can fully utilize in order to sale their manifestoes, share experiences, public speaking skills, leadership and problem solving skills.
• Women should not only stick to the 30% quota but have equally compete with their male