Somaliland: Why Women Have Faired Badly in Appointments to High office by the Kulmiye Party Administration

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Kulmiye party women's wing receives president Bihi at the ruling party's Hqs in Hargeisa

Somalilandsun: Despite being main supporters of, and voters for ruling  party, women in Somaliland have been marginalized by the Kulmiye administration of president Bihi.

“Although you have not been apportioned your rightful share of public service positions at neither national , regional or local levels , I still take this opportunity to thank you for continued support to our party and government”

The thanks were proffered by President Muse Bihi Abdi during a meeting with Kulmiye women wing at the party’s headquarters in Hargeisa where for the first time,the head of state addressed the subject of why women, who played a major role in the Kulmiye election campaign, failed to hold a number of positions in his government.

Somaliland: Why  Women Have Faired Badly in Appointments to High office by  the Kulmiye Party Administration
President in a candid meeting with Kulmiye party women wing in Hargeisa

The president who visited the KULMIYE party headquarters in Hargeisa  had a candid exchange of views with members of the Kulmiye party women wing  and answered many questions including why women played a positive role in the election campaign but faired dismally inuin securing  proportionate positions in government they helped bring to office.

Addressing the women   party faithfuls  the President said, “It is an honor for me and my fellow ministers to come to the KULMIYE party headquarters and meet with the members of its  women wing who have been the backbone of the party. We know that the hardships you have suffered during  the election campaign and the work you have done as a woman have been the most we have witnessed. ”

Adding that  “If you ask us what the status of women is in government positions, we will answer that they have received the least. Are these two compatible? that is your support and subsequent share

Kulmiye party women supporters at meeting with Somaliland President Bihi in Hargeisa

“I definitely say no, but this is as per prevalent status in the country and we are working tirelessly to ensure that gender balance is attained in Somaliland, sooner rather than late” said the president adding that this anomaly is not related to islamic tenets as some would translate it.

Giving Bangladesh which is usually led by a women prime minister and Pakistan similarly led by a women at time,  both Muslim countries  as examples the president said “Our religion, Islam, does not forbid women from holding public office” as he stressed that the status of women exclusion fromifrom high office in Somaliland is  due  a culture that is stronger than politics, a culture that opposes the advancement of science and civilization.”

While urging the women to wisely chose their party leaders during the forthcoming national conference president Bihi promised to intensify efforts geared towards appointment if more women in his government.

In somaliland there are  currently only two women ministers in the Kulmiye party administration and one female legislator in the Somaliland parliament.

Somaliland: Why  Women Have Faired Badly in Appointments to High office by  the Kulmiye Party Administration
President Bihi addresses Kulmiye party women wing in Hargeisa