THE e-LIBRARY PURPOSE
The Somali Women in Leadership (WiL) e-Library is an electronic collection on topics related to women, peace, security and development in Somalia. This collection of documents, books, media and other resources have been selected as background information for the promotion of gender empowerment in Somalia. The selection includes International fundamental documents, conventions and declarations in relation to women rights and gender equality that can be instrumental for the advancement of Somalia's new agenda going from transition to transformation. It has been selected with the help of our Somali women associates and international collaborators. If you had additional entries that, in your opinion should be part of this collection please contact the Institute. Enjoy the reading.
UNITED NATIONS REPORTS & DECLARATIONS
Somalia Human Development Report 2012: Empowering youth for peace and development
- The Somalia Human Development Report 2012, although devoted to the analysis of empowerment of youth for peace and development, includes numerous data and sections on women and young women in particular. The new report is based on surveys conducted in more than 3,000 households in south central Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland. It reveals that although the majority of Somali youth believe they have a right to be educated (82%) and a right to decent work (71%), they feel disempowered by multiple structural barriers built into the family, institutions, local government and society at–large. This lack of viable education and employment opportunities – in addition to clan and cultural prejudices – has created a high level of frustration and discontentment among young people. Therefore, radical shifts in policies and attitudes are needed in order to empower and place them at the core of the development agenda. Read more >>
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
- The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), also referred as the “women’s bill of rights” is a cornerstone of all UN Women programmes. More than 185 countries are parties to the Convention. CEDAW, also known as the Treaty for the Rights of Women, is a pragmatic international agreement addressing the rights of women and girls. In countries that have ratified CEDAW, women have partnered with their governments to improve the status of women and girls, and as a result have changed laws and policies to create greater safety and opportunity for women and their families. CEDAW can make a difference for women and girls, specifically to reduce sex trafficking & domestic violence, provide access to education & vocational training, ensure the right to vote, end forced marriage & child marriage, help mothers and families by providing access to maternal health care and to ensure the right to work & own a business without discrimination. Read more >>
Guidebook on the provisional constitution of Somalia
- Prepared by the UNDP/UNPOS Joint Constitution Unit, this Guide Book is designed to aid the Somali people to become familiar with the contents of the Provisional Constitution that entered into force on August 2, 2012. The Provisional Constitution proclaims the family to be the foundation of Somali society, protects motherhood and childhood, and recognises a child’s right to care – see Article 28 and 29. Another significant feature relating to Somali society is the special attention paid to traditions and cultural practices, which the state has a particular duty to promote if they have a positive effect, or to eliminate if they have a negative effect, on Somali society – see Article 31 (1). Read more >>
UN Women Source-book on Women, Peace and Security (WPS)
- This is a collection of cutting-edge resources intended to raise awareness, provoke policy, support training, advocacy and share lessons learned on implementation of the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda, including the UN Security Council resolution 1325 and other women and peace and security resolutions (1820, 1888, 1889 and 1960). This collection is expected to strengthen the knowledge base on women and peace and security-related issues and to provide practitioners, advocates and policy makers with practical guidance. The Overview provides a detailed summary of issues, lessons learned, good practices and continuing efforts to implement the WPS agenda. It also provides a set of analytical and practical guidance on five major thematic and operational elements of the WPS agenda, namely: 1) frameworks for implementing the women and peace and security resolutions; 2) women’s engagement in conflict resolution; 3) gender-responsive conflict prevention and protection; 4) women’s participation in peacebuilding and recovery; and 5) gender and transitional justice. Read more >>
The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (2000)
- The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (2000) recognized that war impacts women differently, and reaffirmed the need to increase women’s role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution. In particular it expresses the importance of mainstreaming gender considerations and the rights of women, including through consultation with local and international women’s groups. The UN Security Council subsequently adopted four additional resolutions on women, peace and security: 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009) and 1960 (2010). Taken together, the five resolutions represent a critical framework for improving the situation of women in conflict-affected countries. Download HERE a summery poster of the various resolutions. Read more >>
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (PFA)
- The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (PFA) was adopted by governments at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women. This document sets forth governments’ commitments to enhance women’s rights. Member states reaffirmed and strengthened the platform in 2000 during the global five-year review of progress, and pledged to accelerate its implementation during the 10-year review in 2005 and the 15-year review in 2010. The Commission on the Status of Women has been responsible for organizing and following up the world conferences on women in Mexico (1975), Copenhagen (1980), Nairobi (1985) and Beijing (1995). Over the past decade, the Commission has systematically reviewed progress in the implementation of the twelve critical areas of concern identified in the Beijing Platform for Action at its annual sessions, and has adopted action-oriented recommendations, in the form of agreed conclusions, to facilitate increased implementation at all levels. Read more >>
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
- Millennium Declaration and Millennium Development Goals were embraced by all UN Member States and outline a set of time-bound and measurable goals and targets to promote gender equality and to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy and environmental degradation by 2015. The eight goals, adopted by the international community in 2000, set targets for 2015 on eradicating poverty, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV and AIDS and other diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability, and providing financing for development. The MDGs form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest. All eight MDGs touch essential aspects of women’s well-being, and in turn, women’s empowerment is critical for achieving the goals. Read more >>
Women's Empowerment Principles: Equality means Business
- Gender empowerment is integral to economic development. The Women's Empowerment Principles recognize this and affirm gender equality as essential to human rights and sustainable economic development. They are a set of Principles for business offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. They are the result of a collaboration between UN Women and the UN Global Compact. Sub-titled Equality Means Business, the Principles emphasize the business case for corporate action to promote gender equality and women's empowerment and are informed by real-life business practices and input gathered from across the globe. Rather than being prescriptive or a new initiative to which business is asked to subscribe, the Women's Empowerment Principles seek to point the way to best practice by elaborating the gender dimension of good corporate citizenship, the UN Global Compact, and business' role in sustainable development. As well as being a useful guide for business, it is hoped that Principles will inform other stakeholders, including governments, in their engagement with business. Read more >>
SOMALI WOMEN ORGANIZATIONS
Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation (DHAF)
- Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation (DHAF) is an independent non-profit organization that is registered as 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States. The Foundation aims to raises funds to provide emergency relief to Somalis stricken by famine and war, while empowering them to take command of their own futures. DHAF is one of the oldest NGOs operating inside of Somalia, and over the last 29 years hundreds of thousands of Somalis have come under its care. DHAF's mission is to provide support and relief to the women and children of Somalia while empowering Somalis to take command of their own future. Since 1983, DHAF have provided general, emergency and maternal care to displaced Somalis independent of their clan, gender, religious and political affiliation. DHAF is a solutions-oriented organization that seeks to provide our people with the skills, resources and knowledge to stand on their own feet. Read more >>
The Somali Women & Children's Alliance (SWCA)
- The Somali Women & Children's Alliance (SWCA) is ax exempt 501(c)3 charitable organization based in Columbus (Ohio). SWCA offers a variety of programs designed to assist in preparing refugees and immigrants for their new role in American society, helping them to achieve their full potential as residents and citizens. SWCA's mission is to equip refugees and immigrants toward self-sufficiency, and to facilitate their becoming an integral part of the greater community. Read more >>
United Somali Women of Maine (USWM)
- The mission of United Somali Women of Maine (USWM) is to assists refugee and immigrant women living in Maine in a manner which reflects their gender and cultural practices. United Somali Women of Maine fulfills its mission by serving as cultural brokers, barrier reducers, skill enhancers, and problem solvers. The United Somali Women of Maine Women’s Center works to promote culturally and linguistically appropriate services, self-sufficiency, advocacy, empowerment, increase access to information, prevent all types of violence and promote a non-sexist, multi-cultural environment that rises up the strengths of refugee women and girls. Read more >>
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS)
- The Secretary-General established the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) on 15 April 1995, to help him advance the cause of peace and reconciliation through contacts with Somali leaders, civic organisations and the states and organisations concerned. Since May 2010, the UNPOS Gender Affairs Unit (GAU) has worked to enhance the coherent and systematic integration of gender perspectives into UNPOS’s efforts to restore peace and reconciliation in Somalia. This is done through Gender mainstreaming, advisory services, technical guidance and capacity building and advocacy. The GAU supports and contributes to various activities on the ground in Somalia, both within the greater UN system and through partnerships with grassroots organizations in outreach and reconciliation, peace building and conflict prevention efforts. Within the Mission, UNPOS works to 1) Ensure the coherent and systematic integration of gender-related perspectives in UNPOS programming and planning, including the design of national policies and institutional reforms; 2) Engage the governmental institutions, women’s organizations to deliver as per the UN Security Council resolutions on Women, Peace and Security; and 3) Develop effective partnerships with UN Agencies, regional institutions, research institutions and international actors to ensure coherent and efficient gender delivery in Somalia. Read more >>
MEDIA REPORTS
Inside Somalia, Violence against women and girls - The Guardian, Global Development
- This audio slideshow explains how Somalia's refugee camps leave women and girls vulnerable to violent assault. The promise of humanitarian assistance has encouraged thousands of Somali families affected by drought and conflict to converge on Mogadishu. But while the capital's refugee camps appear to offer a safe haven, the reality for mothers and daughters is markedly different, with many living in fear of rape by armed bandits. Photographer Kate Holt traveled to Mogadishu to document their plight. Read more >>
Rape victims in Somalia - New York Times Report
- Somalia has been steadily worn down by decades of conflict and chaos, its cities in ruins and its people starving. In 2011 tens of thousands have died from famine, with countless others cut down in relentless combat. Now Somalis face yet another widespread terror: an alarming increase in rapes and sexual abuse of women and girls. Read more >>
Edna Adan of Somaliland - Half the Sky Movement
- Edna Adan is featured in Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. "She is an inspiring advocate for women and girls, and her maternity hospital in Somaliland is an oasis of healing and care for the country's women. Adan was raised in Somaliland in an educated and wealthy family, when the country was a protectorate of the British Empire. When she was 15, a girls' school opened in Somaliland. Adan went to work there as a student teacher and also received private lessons. She was permitted to sit for exams, in a room separate from the boys, and was the first Somali girl awarded one of a few coveted scholarships to study in Britain. She spent seven years there, studying nursing, midwifery and hospital management. When she returned home to Somaliland, Adan became the first qualified nurse-midwife in the country and the first Somali woman to drive a car." Check out the Edna Adan's Hospital. Read more >>