Supporting participation of women and other marginalized groups by enlightening them on their participation in upcoming Somalia elections in Baidoa, South West States, of Somalia

Somalia is a male chauvinist society where women and other marginalised groups particularly those under-represented (victims and members of groups affected by discrimination) have been isolated in leadership and decision making processes including electoral and political processes for a very long time. The situation is exacerbated by the 4.5 clan formula by clan elders where men nominate fellow men hailing from their clans to represent them in political and administrative issues.  Despite enactment of the new constitution dispensation by Somali Federal Government in 2012 that has strengthened women and marginalized group’s representation in parliament 30% a good proportion of women and marginalized groups are still ignorant of this opportunity. Of particular concern lack of interest in political, democratic electoral process by a number of women and other marginalized groups owing to biased administration’s that deliberately ignore allocation of women 30% quota representation as per the constitutional provision coupled by impacts of cultural traditional practices, ignorance and illiteracy amongst a good proportion of women population and the marginalized groups.  However, Somali women’s participation into the political and electoral process is strengthened and agitated by the peace and the state building goals (PSGS) of the federal government, as expressed in the Somali compact, that recognizes the role women have in the recent past played and will continue to play in the Somali society. The compact ensures equitable participation of women, youth and the other marginalized in the national political process and should respond directly to the acute challenges contributing to sustained gender disparities across multiple