SOURCE:All Africa
The Administrations of the Southwest and Galmudug States in Somalia have launched symposiums to discuss the process of electoral transition; and Puntland and Jubaland States also embarked on regional level consultations focusing on the proposed electoral process for next year's election on Monday (November 16).
As the nation-wide consultations on the format for transition in 2016 begins, Somali women are calling for larger political role in electoral process.
Women groups have held a meeting in the Puntland capital of Garowe to demand that the 30% quota allotted during the post-transition period should be fully implemented during next year's parliamentary and presidential elections. A statement from the Puntland Women Development and Family Affairs Ministry also suggested that the model for the elections should be a district-based electoral system to provide stronger political legitimacy for the parliament.
The statement called on the Government, Islamic Scholars and international agencies to push for a more representative system in which women could enjoy broader political rights in Somalia.