Somalia ranks fourth on the global ranking of gender inequality, with a whopping gender inequality index of 0.776. This is largely because of the huge gender disparity caused by the country’s customary values that are rooted in patriarchal traditions.
One of the biggest indicators of this disparity is the number of incidents of gender-based violence that go unreported. Even the women that do come forward are mostly required to get a judgment from clan leaders, while a man is required to represent them. In most cases, the perpetrator goes unpunished as the system is designed to keep women from participating in the decision-making process.
In addition to all this, approximately 98% of women in Somalia are also subjected to archaic practices such as female genital mutilation. In this blog, we discuss how gender disparity plays out for women in Somalia and what steps can be taken to bridge the gap.
Problems Faced by Women in Somalia
Before we understand how the gender disparity can be fixed in Somalia, we need to understand the magnitude of problems faced by Somali women. Here’s a quick rundown of some common issues they face:
- Early Marriages: One of the biggest issues faced by women in Somalia is that they get married at an early age. In fact, 45% of women are reportedly married or put in a union before they even turn 18.
- Lack of Autonomy: Another problem is that women’s major life decisions are majorly made by men, and they face an overall lack of autonomy. Their freedom of choice is usually dependent on where they live and the kind of men in their families.
- Women are Restricted to Domestic Chores: Women in Somalia have distinct gender roles and are restricted to domestic activities.
- Societal Expectations from Women: Somali society expects women to be sexually modest, and there’s a huge emphasis on female virginity and female genital mutilation. Additionally, they are also expected to be passive, restricted, and modest.
Road to Recovery from Gender Disparity
The points listed above barely scratch the surface of the gender disparity in Somalia. The country still has to go a long way to ensure gender equity. Here are some ways the gender gap can be bridged:
- Focus on female education.
- Impose strict marriage laws that prohibit the marriage of minor women.
- Create a safe space for women in all public institutions so they can have a say in the decisions that are otherwise made for them.
- Ban archaic practices such as female genital mutilation.
- Take decisive action against perpetrators of gender-based violence.
- Support budding women entrepreneurs and help them grow their businesses.
All of these things will take some time before they’re put into action and consequently accepted, but this is what will help the country move past its problems to grow and prosper.
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