• 2023/05/12
• 08:00 AM

Women in Somalia are disproportionately affected by conflict and crisis yet their participation is key to sustainable peace and stability. Confronted with the Covid-19 pandemic, women in particularly vulnerable situations, such as in displacement or conflict and post-conflict contexts, are enduring a two-fold crisis. This places their human rights and their participation as equal stakeholders in all facets of society at risk. In parallel, women are also vital defenders of communities in times of war and conflict through mobilizing and delivering humanitarian assistance at the local community level and play an important role in both conflict prevention and peace building.

The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security provides a global framework for the equal involvement of women in peace efforts and acknowledges the different gendered experiences of armed conflicts, calls for women’s participation in conflict prevention, resolution, peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction, and demands the protection of women in armed conflict. It provides a tool for advocacy and makes explicit the imperative of equal participation of women. However, despite women’s crucial role in achieving lasting peace, the vast majority of peace processes and agreements continue to exclude women. Today, the raging conflict in Sudan & Somalia further actualizes the eminent need to consider the gender dimension of peace and conflict across the globe.