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Somalia: Women Have a Role to Play in Nation, Say Activists
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Garowe Online (Garowe)
10 July 2008
Posted to the web 11 July 2008
Kenneth Oduor
Long lasting peace and unity cannot be achieved unless women are involved fully in the political and democratization process in that country.
This was the clarion call by Somali women leaders who gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, this week. Several speakers at the conference which brought together women from Somalia and those in the Diaspora called for the integration of gender in the process of trying to create unity and peace among the Somali people.
While speaking at the conference that was held at the prestigious Grand Regency Hotel in Nairobi, Ms. Sona Khan, who is a member of the Supreme Court of India and an expert in Islamic law, dismissed the claims that Muslim women had no rights.
"Muslim women have rights to life, education and equality. Islam as a religion gives rights to Muslim women," said the Islamic law scholar.
The Nairobi conference was organized by Somalia Women Agenda and was jointly funded by the British government's Department for International Development and the European Union in partnership with the United Nations Fund for Women (Unifem).
The conference, dubbed "Promoting and Understanding Women in Islam," was also attended by the Director General in the Ministry of Women Development and Family Affairs, Nimco Hassan Bayle, Sheikh Ahmed Qudbi and Jessica Davis who is in charge of the political desk at the US Embassy.
Speaking to Garowe Online at the sidelines of the conference, the Regional Director of the Cooperation for the Development of Emerging Countries (COSPE) which is based in Italy, Ms. Hibo Yassin reiterated the need to educate Muslim women on their rights.
"Most women in Somalia do not know about their rights and there is serious need to educate them on these rights," she said.
She commended Somali women for their role during the 18 years that the country has been devastated by conflict and civil strife.
"Women have been at the forefront in trying to foster peace and unity in Somalia and there is need to appreciate this noble role," she added.
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The conference is expected to close next week.
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