Mareeg.com-The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia H.E Hassan Sh. Mohamud today paid
tribute to Somali women activists and those campaigning to improve women’s
rights.
Speaking at the Women’s Peace and Security Day that is an event
organized by the United Nations to promote the role of women in society, the
President re-affirmed the government’s commitment to improving the lives of
women and children in Somalia:
After two decades of civil war the Government is completely committed to
reforming our laws and creating new laws and policies, that have never previously
existed in Somalia, to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable in our
society.
Highlighting the practical steps that have already been taken by the government, the
President said:
“In its first year the Government has taken a number of concrete steps to
protect women. We have drafted a National Gender Policy, we are in the process of
creating a special crime unit that will investigate and counter gender-based
violence and a dedicated clinic is being built to care for the victims of sexual
violence. Our security forces, police and judiciary are now receiving, and will
continue to receive, specialized gender training. We acknowledge that there is a
long way to go but we are dedicated to making serious progress in this area.
Women have an essential role in society and when you the women of Somalia are
united you are able to achieve your goals. I applaud you for fighting for the
rights’ of the most vulnerable in society and I pledge to you today that women
will continue to be represented at the highest level of the Somali
Government.
The President, who was joined at the event by the Minister for Human Development and
Public Services H.E Maryan Qaasim, the UN’s Special Representative to the Secretary
General Nicholas Kay, several Ambassadors, the AU and civil society leaders, thanked
the UN for hosting the event and for standing up for human rights in Somalia.
**ENDS**
For further information please contact:
Malik Abdalla
Director of Communications
