Today we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and start 16 days of activism to end gender violence. Living and working in Somalia, I see firsthand how desperately important this issue is.
Many women in Somalia lead hard lives. Girls and women suffer disproportionately from conflict and poverty. One in 16 women will die as a result of childbirth. Approximately 98% of Somali women have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM). Rape is a huge problem.
But in 2014 the picture got a bit brighter.
The Federal Government made clear their commitment to prevent these crimes against women, support victims and prosecute those responsible. They presented their National Action Plan at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, held in London, to make this happen. Ministries are starting to put this into practice, with progress on accountability mechanisms, health services and required legislation.
In July at the Girl Summit in London, Somalia committed to a charter to end female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage and are working towards developing legislation and a national plan of action towards the abandonment of both practices.
The challenge for 2015 is turning these plans and commitments into action that makes a difference to daily lives. Somali women need to feel things have changed. Good policies and intentions are not enough.
Throughout Somalia, I have met inspirational women, whether midwives, Ministers, activists or policewomen, working to improve women’s lives. I have visited centres for rape survivors, and been in awe equally of the survivors’ resilience and their helpers’ commitment. The UK’s International Development Minister was able to meet remarkable people herself during her recent visit to Somalia: These women need and deserve support. Men need to play their part.
The UK, and other international partners, stand ready to support this work in Somalia. The UK has been at the forefront of international efforts to eradicate sexual violence in all conflicts. I am proud that our £1 million programme across Somalia in 2014 is:-
- Building the capacity of local service providers, focused in the health sector, training health care providers, to ensure victims get the best possible support.
- Training AMISOM soldiers before they are deployed in Somalia to help prevent sexual violence, increase their knowledge of international human rights laws, and best practice in assisting women and children in the aftermath of violent conflict.
- Providing livelihoods support through local civil society organisations, and basic equipment to victims of sexual violence in refugee camps in Mogadishu
One way to improve women’s lives and rights will be to increase their participation in public life. 2015 will be an opportunity for women to prepare their roles for the 2016 elections – as voters, activists and candidates. The UK hosted an event on political participation at the Copenhagen Summit – attended by the President and six Ministers. We want to turn the 30% target for women in public roles into a reality.
We all – wherever we are in the world – can play our part in making the picture for women in Somalia brighter. We’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas of what you will be doing to make a world free of gender violence a reality. Either comment here or tweet me at @FCONeilWigan