Statement of the United Nations Special Representative for Somalia – Francois Lonseny Fall - to Opening ceremony of the IGAD/UNIFEM Experts Group Meeting in Nairobi on 21 February 2006 ..............................................................................................
Madam Chairperson,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is indeed an honour and pleasure for me to be afforded the opportunity to deliver a statement on the role of women in the reconstruction and development of Somalia at such an important forum. As experts in gender mainstreaming, you are charged with the onerous and challenging task of discussing and identifying the priorities of Somali women for inclusion in the Joint Needs Assessment for Somalia.
As you already know, the Somali Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) has significantly expanded its efforts since October 2005 and today’s meeting is part of a series of consultative processes that commenced with a JNA Inception Workshop held from 23-27 November, 2005 in Nairobi and will culminate in the adoption of the Reconstruction and Development blueprint for Somalia later in the year. These processes also included a planning workshop held in Jowhar from 12-15 December 2005 and countrywide consultative workshops involving international experts from the UN and the World Bank, and representatives of regional focus groups including women’s groups, civil society, traditional elders, religious groups, business community, and regional administrations.
The realization of a Reconstruction and Development Programme for a country like Somalia which has been without functional institutions since 1991 is not an easy task. Moreover several years of internecine civil strife have engendered considerable loss of human lives and destruction of property and infrastructure, with the women being the most affected. It is therefore critical that the Transitional Federal Institutions address gender inequalities aggravated by the conflict and enhance women’s participation not only in the promotion of peace and reconciliation, but also in the reconstruction and development process in Somalia. Any post-conflict reconstruction and development programmme for Somalia needs to be both gender and conflict –sensitive for it to be successful. In this respect, the special needs of women who have played a role during the conflict need to be carefully addressed to ensure that they are empowered to effectively participate in the process of peace-building.
Somali women as the principal victims of the decade and a half long civil strife have every right to participate in the decision-making process that directly impact on their lives. Their views on legal, security and other matters can be instrumental towards the success of reform programs. Their contributions are also critical in addressing imbalances and inequalities engendered by the conflict. It is however saddening to note that Somali women remain severely underrepresented in the political and decision-making processes. This results in the perpetuation of policies and practices that do not serve their needs. This disparity is especially dangerous in the peace-building and reconciliation processes where the voices of women must be heard in order to ensure sustainable peace. It is the Somali women who have upheld the family and communities throughout the period of the conflict. They are therefore a solid pillar for reconciliation and social healing and should be empowered to play this pivotal role in this critical stage of Somalia’s political history.
Together we should endeavour to give concrete expression to the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against women (CEDAW) which clearly articulates the important role of women in the decision-making process in its preamble as follows: "Convinced that the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace, require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields".
To secure the participation and representation of Somali women, UNPOS will work with Somali authorities to ratify the CEDAW to which Somalia is not a signatory, and to ensure that women have access to information regarding national and international safeguards for their rights, included in the Transitional Federal Charter, CEDAW, and the Declaration on Violence against Women, among others. The institutional and other barriers that prevent women from accessing information concerning women’s rights are a major impediment to raising awareness about women’s rights in Somalia.
UNPOS is keen to build a strong collaborative relationship with UNIFEM, IGAD and other institutions to break such barriers and promote the advancement of women as well assist Somali authorities in mainstreaming gender concerns into national policies.
Furthermore, UNPOS is committed to assist the Somali authorities in the implementation of Resolution 1325. This Resolution specifically highlights the impact of war and conflict on women and girls andmakes concrete recommendations for enhancing women’s active involvement in national reconciliation and peace-building, and protection of women and girls from violence and abuse, especially from the risk of HIV/AIDS. In the process of implementing this Resolution, UNPOS would like to recommend that the terms of reference of members of the newly established National Reconciliation Commission include a commitment to respect and uphold women’s rights and their participation in the national reconciliation process.
I cannot conclude my statement, without highlighting the laudable role women’s advocacy groups and non-governmental organizations continue to play in the delivery of basic social services, literacy and vocational training as well as in initiating and supporting pre-disarmament encampments in Mogadishu. Such initiatives would not however been possible without the support and assistance of UNIFEM and UNDP and I wish to use this forum to pay tribute to these organizations for their commitment and support to the empowerment of Somali women.
Finally, in wishing you fruitful and constructive deliberations, please allow me to express the hope and conviction that the outcome of this workshop would constitute yet another significant milestone in the process of empowering Somali women to effectively participate in the peace-building process of their country.
Thank you all for your kind attention. |
