Women’s Perceptions of Governance and Democratization in the Banadir Region: Challenges and Opportunities
In recent decades, Somalia has made progress toward rebuilding its government since the collapse of the state in 1991. However, many segments of the population remain disenfranchised from the peacebuilding process. Women make up half of the population, but are underrepresented in governance, state-building, and conflict resolution efforts. Studies on women’s participation in post-conflict societies show that they play an important role in ending conflicts and in the transition to democracy. Women in Somalia have made considerable contributions to the reconstruction of their society after the civil war, but there are many obstacles that make it difficult for them to participate in formal institutions. This report examines women’s perspectives on governance, state-building, and conflict resolution in Somalia’s Benadir region. This study employed participatory action research (PAR), a method that involves researchers and participants in the research processes in order to understand the condition and challenges facing the target communities in order to make a positive change. PAR is a context-specific approach that aims to address marginalization, gender inequality, and social injustice in general in ways that help promote democracy and citizens’ participation and involvement in governance and public life. PAR also aims to have a greater awareness of the communities in their situation in order to take relevant action.
Tan iyo qaran jabkii 1991, tobannaankii sano ee u danbeeyay ayay Soomaaliya horumarka samaysay dibudhiska dowladnimadeeda. Hase ahaatee, qaybo badan oo dadweynaha ka mid ah ayaan laga qaybgelin geeddiga nabadaynta. Haweenku waxa ay dadweynaha ka yihiin kalabadh, haddana waa lagaga saammi badan yahay maamulka, dowlad-dhiska iyo dedaallada xallinta khilaafyada. Daraasado laga sameeyay kaalinta ay haweenku ku leeyihiin bulshooyinka colaadaha ka soo doogay, ayaa muujinaya in haweenku door muhiim ah ka qaataan joojinta dagaallada iyo dimoqraadiyaynta. Dagaalladii sokeeye ka dib, haweenka Soomaaliya waxa ay qaadhaan sheeggan ku darsadeen dibudhiska bulshadooda, waxa se jira caqabado badan oo ka haysta kaqaybgalka hay’adaha rasmiga ah (dowladda). Warbixintani waxa ay sahaminaysaa aragtiyaha dumarku ka haystaan maamulka, dowlad-dhiska iyo xallinta khilaafyada gobolka Banaadir, Soomaaliya.