Gender in Politics in Somalia: Access and influence in a post-conflict state

The GENSOM project has examined the current dynamics of women's political agency in Somalia by assessing women's access to and influence in leadership roles in society. It has achieved this through indepth life histories with a wide range of Somali women with leadership roles. Post-independence politics in Somalia has largely been defined by instability, inter-ethnic conflict and state-failure. During the regime of President Siad Barre (1969-1991), women gained greater societal freedom and were encouraged to take on leadership roles, amidst an otherwise increasingly repressive dictatorship. What impact have two decades of conflict had on women's engagement in formal politics and civil society? What access do women have to public office and informal arenas of civil-political engagement? What political influence and decision-making power do women in public office and outside formal governance structures have in Somalia? The GENSOM project consisted of three sub-projects, which studied 1) the history of women in public office and a range of other leadership positions, 2) the level of access women have to formal and informal arenas of power, 3) the influence that women have in Somali politics, particularly in relation to a women's agenda. Women's ability to pursue a women's agenda is affected by the degree of influence they hold, the loyalties they maintain but also by their own perceptions on what a women?s agenda encompasses and how it is to be achieved. Looking beyond formal politics, the project studied the many ways in which women are or aim to be leaders, mentors, decision-makers and/or transformative actors. The project's aim was to contribute new knowledge to a growing body of academic literature of gender studies in the Global South with particular relevance for post-conflict and Islamic states. The research was conducted by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) in close collaboration with the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS) in Mogadishu, and was set up to contribute to strengthening research capacity in Somalia. A secondary aim was to inform national and donor policies supporting women's political empowerment in Somalia by examining international 'empowerment' approaches within their local context and study how these approaches relate to women's lived experiences in Somalia today. In the course of a little over two years, the project team collected 35 indepth life histories, 46 interviews and 10 focus group discussions. Interviews were collected in Mogadishu, Garowe, Hargeisa (representing South-central Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland), as well as in Nairobi, Doha, Colombus (Ohio), Toronto, London and Oslo. While the numbers are somewhat lower than anticipated in the project proposal (40 life histories, 70 interviews and 10 FGDs), the amount of data the team collected is extensive and very rich. During the project period, six internal project meetings and six public events were held, in Oslo, London, Nairobi, Mogadishu and Hargeisa. Three articles have been submitted to international journals, of which one was published; three policy briefs were written; and a documentary was made (with an 8 and 30 minute version). A book proposal will be submitted shortly.

Post-independence politics in Somalia has been largely defined by instability, internecine conflict, and state-failure. During the regime of President Siad Barre women gained greater societal freedom and actively engaged in local and national politics. Fo llowing the downfall of the Barre regime, as warlords and Islamic militants sought authority in south-central Somalia, women were forced to retreat from formal politics. In the past year Somalia has begun to reestablish a degree of stability. As hope grow s that the country is finally turning a new page women find themselves with an opportunity to firmly establish themselves in the political arena. The GENSOM project consists of three sub-projects, which study 1) the history of women in politics in Somal ia, 2) the level of access women have to formal and informal arenas of power, 3) the influence that women have in Somali politics, particularly in relation to a gender agenda. Women's ability to pursue gender sensitive development within government is con strained by the degree of influence they hold, the loyalties they maintain and the desire they have to achieve gender equality. The proposed project will investigate the impact women have upon gaining public office. How or why are they constrained from pu rsuing gender-focused agendas? What opportunities do women have to exert political pressure beyond the confines of the national government? What linkages exist between women in politics and popular women's movements in Somalia? The GENSOM project is a c ollaboration between the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) and the Heritage Institute for Policy Studies (HIPS). Over a two-year period, 40 life histories, 70 semi-structured interviews and 10 focus groups will be held held with women in Mogadishu, Har geisa, Garowe, London and Oslo. The project will produce a documentary, 3 peer-reviewed articles, 3 policy briefs, 2 roundtable workshops and 2 policy briefs.