Generally, Somali women have been under-represented at all levels of government administration since the Somali Republic was established in 1960. In 2012,
As Somalia ended the transition period, women were promised 30% representation in all sectors of government. Yet this remains a gentlemen’s agreement and the gender quota remainsexcluded from the provisional constitution. This lack of incorporation of the gender quota is reflected in the uneven representation of women in parliament in the last three indirect elections, in 2012 (14% representation); 2016 (24% representation), and 2021/22 (20% representation). Combining a survey and interviews, this research examined the public perception of women’s political participation as well as the opportunities and challenges they face in their pursuit of political representations. The survey was carried out in seven large urban cities across Somalia (Kismayo, Baidoa, Mogadishu, Beledweyne, Galkayo, Garoweand Bosaso) to determine the societal views on gender quota and women’s political participation and obtained 1,000 responses.
