Mogadishu, Somalia — In a bold move that underscores ongoing gender equity struggles, Somali women have strongly objected to the recent government decision to appoint General Bashiir Gobe, a male military officer, as the Minister for Family Affairs and Human Rights Development, formerly known as the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
The appointment of the general to the traditionally female-led ministry has ignited a flurry of reactions across social media platforms and within political circles.
The concerns about this unprecedented shift were a focal point in a formal complaint submitted by the Somali Gender Equity Movement (SGEM) to Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who made the controversial appointment in a ministerial decree on Saturday.
The SGEM, a coalition representing nearly 8,000 Somali women, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the recent reshuffle within the cabinet.
The group contends that the loss of the ministerial position, among other changes, represents a significant setback for women’s representation in Somali politics.
The letter issued on Sunday, which has also been forwarded to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, highlights a troubling trend: women’s representation in government has dropped from 12% to 9%.
This reduction follows a series of appointments that have seen key positions previously held by women given to men.
“We are profoundly dismayed by the erosion of women’s roles in the cabinet and other significant positions,” the letter reads.
“This reduction in representation from 12% to 9% is not just a statistic but a step backward in our collective progress.”
The complaint further details the loss of influential roles, including the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development and several other senior positions traditionally held by women.
It also notes the exclusion of Somali women from international roles, such as Chairperson of the African Union and President of the World Parliament, suggesting a broader trend of diminishing opportunities for women.
In their complaint letter, SGEM made a call for reform in the appointment process for the East African Community representatives, demanding that four out of nine members be women to address the reduced representation in federal governance.
The Prime Minister has yet to respond to the letter, but the outcry from the women movements are expected to influence ongoing discussions about gender representation and equity in Somalia’s political landscape.
Critics argue that the decision undermines the progress made towards gender equality and the empowerment of women within the Somali government.
The controversy also touches on deeper issues within Somali society, where tradition often collides with the drive for modernization and equality.
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