NDI - Somalia

Somalia's New Man

dleonard — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 20:31:54 +0000

Source:

International Herald Tribune

Article Link:

Published Date:

09/18/2012

In his article for the International Herald Tribune, Dayo Olopade outlines the many challenges facing Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the new president who won a decisive vote among parliamentarians in the recent election. Within days of his inauguration, Mohamud survived an assassination attempt, an event “emblematic of the challenges ahead.”

Mohamud, “a political outsider who comes from the comparatively taint-free academy,” is seen as a symbol of change and a movement forward for Somalia.” To many, he was a surprising choice as he was not a favored member of the Transitional Federal Government (T.F.G.) and only became a member of parliament last month. During his frequent radio commentary, Mohamud focused on improving “education for the vast youth population, which is vulnerable to the influence of groups like Al Shabab.”

On election day, people around Mogadishu were reported chanting, “‘Somalia has been liberated! The new president is here.’” While his election has brought promise to the Somali people, concerns remain about the country’s future. As Olopade reports, Mohamud will have to fight for a more “representative democracy” and select a cabinet that “favors corruption-free outsiders.”

NDI E-news: Women's Leadership, Zambia, Focus Group Research | October 2011

ntekeei — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:54:53 +0000

October 2011

Women Seeking Leadership Roles to Make Change

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Women running for office in the Democratic Republic of Congo learn to use iKNOW Politics. Photo courtesy of NDI_DRC.

"Success without democracy is improbable. Democracy without women is impossible."
— NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright

Around the world, women in ever-increasing numbers are taking steps to join in the political process at all levels of government. Partnering with men and supporting each other, women are running for office, rising in the ranks of political parties and advocating for issues that matter in their lives.

In Egypt, where the first post-uprising election will begin Nov. 28, women are working to overcome obstacles presented by both law and custom to win election to the parliament that will draft the country's new constitution. NDI campaign schools are helping them learn about campaign strategies, message development, voter contact, public speaking and the country's complex electoral code as they prepare their candidacies.

In the Balkans, women from political parties are working together across ethnic lines and national boundaries to inject new life into stalled politics. They are championing new education policies that will help women become more entrepreneurial and establishing networks that will help them exchange best practices and overcome barriers to women's participation in politics.

At the campaign school in Cairo.

In Kazakhstan, women make up 58 percent of the civil service but hold less than 9 percent of high-level positions. Women and men from across the country came together last month to draft an action plan to boost opportunities for women to reach decision-making positions in government. The plan calls for a cabinet-level Ministry of Gender Development, creating training schools for women, encouraging women in rural areas to participate in politics and other measures.

During the Democratic Republic of Congo's last legislative elections, fewer than 1,100 of 9,000 candidates were women. To encourage more women to run in November elections, NDI held a campaign school where women interested in parliament learned what it takes to win. Hundreds of women turned out to learn about iKNOW Politics, an online network dedicated to the advancement of women in politics.

In Zambia, Observers Cite Accurate Results, Peaceful Process

Zambia’s Civil Society Election Coalition deployed more than 9,000 highly-trained monitors around the country to observe the voting and counting in last month’s elections. About 1,000 of those were assigned to a nationally representative sample of polling stations. Their conclusion, stated "with great confidence," was that the results announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia accurately reflected the votes cast and that the process was generally smooth and peaceful. An NDI pre-election observation mission in August, led by Quett Ketumile Masire, former president of Botswana, and NDI Vice Chair Thomas Daschle, pointed out “noteworthy challenges” in the electoral environment and said the country could move forward significantly if its elections were credible and peaceful. Read more»

Liberian Elections Generally Peaceful, Orderly

The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC), a coalition of seven civil society organizations and a partner of NDI's, fielded 2,000 election monitors to polling locations across the country to observe Liberia's presidential and legislative polls. Based on preliminary reports, the ECC called the elections "generally peaceful and orderly," and urged political parties to respect the official vote totals, expected later this month. Read more»

Key Reforms Needed to Clean Up Afghan Elections

Political and civil society representatives are calling on the Afghan government to carry out critical reforms to clean up the country's fraud-plagued election system. These include increased transparency in election management bodies, improvements to political parties and a better election law. Representatives of civil society, election agencies, parliament, local government, political parties, academia and the media all worked together to come up with an action plan to advance future reforms. Read more»

Citizen Organizations Work to Bolster Parliaments and Public Engagement, Survey Finds

A new report by NDI and the World Bank Institute examines the efforts of some 190 parliamentary monitoring organizations that are monitoring 82 parliaments around the world. These groups are helping citizens sift through and make sense of vast amounts of parliamentary information on such topics as voting records, the content of floor debates and committee deliberations to ensure that citizen interests are represented and legislators are held accountable. Read more»

New Focus Group Research Released in Tunisia, Kyrgyzstan, Somalia

Public opinion research can help governments, political parties and civil society better respond to the issues citizens care about most.

In Tunisia, where this month's constituent assembly elections will be the first competitive poll in the country's history, focus group research shows a widening divide between citizens and decision-makers. Citizens are frustrated by a lack of economic opportunities and perceive political parties as debating issues unrelated to their daily lives. Read more»

In Kyrgyzstan, where voters will choose a president Oct. 30, unemployment and corruption are top issues for voters. Focus group research found that ethnic tensions were still strong, but had been supplanted by unemployment and corruption as issues of top concern. Read more»

In Somalia, new research shows rising popular support for writing a new constitution. Somalis are eager to contribute to their country's future, and want a Somali-led response to conflict and greater inclusion in the transition to a permanent government. Read more»

Importance of Authentic Elections and Unhindered Election Observation Stressed at OSCE Warsaw Meeting

Speaking for the United States at the annual human rights meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Patrick Merloe, NDI's director of electoral programs, emphasized the importance of a genuinely competitive electoral process — before, during and after election day. Citing Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Macedonia as examples of recent, well-run elections in the OSCE region, Merloe stressed the crucial role that citizen and international monitors have in assessing the validity of an election. Read more»

President Ouattara: Reconciliation and Security Reform Key to Recovery in Côte d'Ivoire

The president of Côte d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, stressed the importance of reconciliation following months of violence and displacement in his country during a Washington, D.C., appearance. "The process will be long, but we are determined and I believe we will get there," he said Sept. 23 at an event cosponsored by NDI. Read more or watch the speech»

Don't Miss NDI's 2011 Democracy Award Dinner

Join NDI Nov. 7 as we celebrate the Arab Spring and honor three supporters of democracy at our annual Democracy Award Dinner. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will give the keynote address. The W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award will posthumously honor Geraldine Ferraro, Richard Holbrooke and Charles Manatt for their lifelong commitment to democracy. Appropriate Communication Techniques for Development (ACT), an Egyptian women's group advocating full inclusion of women in the new Egyptian political order, will receive this year's Madeleine K. Albright grant. Buy your ticket»


The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Research Shows Somali People Are Eager to Engage in a New Way Forward

rrunyan — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:32:50 +0000

Highlighting a shift in Somali opinion over the last year, focus group research released by NDI shows that citizens have lost faith in their transitional institutions and are looking for new opportunities to provide input on how to move their country forward.

Andrea Levy presents the findings of the report in an event at NDI.

The findings, in a report entitled Searching for Peace: Views and Comments from Somalia on the Foundations of a New Government, are based on research conducted in Somalia from February to June 2011. The second in a series of studies, the research examined Somali citizens’ opinions on the legitimacy of the transitional government and the international community’s interventions as well as the conflict with Al Shabaab, a militant Islamist group.

Conducted across Puntland and South Central Somalia, the research provides a rare glimpse into the perceptions and needs of a population cut off from the rest of the world by 20 years of violent conflict. NDI spoke with men and women from every region, age group and socio-economic background both in and out of areas controlled by Al Shabaab, including Mogadishu and lower South Central, such as Bakool, Bay and Gedo.

Perhaps the most surprising result was that participants were largely positive about the opportunity to create a new constitution. A year ago, in the first round of focus group research, the same topic evoked strong negative responses. Andrea Levy, NDI’s focus group expert and author of the report, stressed just how much this has changed. “I think this provides both an opportunity and a warning to leaders in Somalia. The Somali people are desperate to contribute to their country, but could become even more cynical if their voices are not heeded in the constitutional process,” she said.

Respondents also stressed their distrust of interventions by external forces, including foreign fighters, who they say are using Islam in ways inconsistent with the religion’s tenets. “Somali citizens feel buffeted by all of these external and informal forces out of their control,” Levy added. “They do not feel like they have a say in what happens in their own country.”

In August, NDI presented the preliminary results to representatives of the international community as part of activities surrounding the opening of NDI’s new office in Nairobi. Officials from the United States, the European Union, Denmark, Norway, the African Union and a number of international nongovernmental organizations joined in a discussion on how the research could help their institutions serve the needs of the Somali people.

NDI has conducted similar studies in Armenia, Kosovo, Ecuador, Sudan, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and numerous other countries. The Institute has worked in Somalia since 2005, supporting the transitional institutions and, more recently, the regional Puntland government.

Related:

Published October 12, 2011

Searching for Peace: Views and Comments from Somalia on the Foundations of a New Government

rrunyan — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:59:15 +0000

Author:

Andrea L. Levy

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

09/01/2011

Resource Type:

Focus Group

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	3.01 MB

NDI E-news: Democracy Day, Libya, Pakistan, African Elections | Sept. 2011

fstovall — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:15:40 +0000

Sept. 15, 2011

Happy Democracy Day!

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"Independence!" A woman casts her ballot in the January referendum creating the new country of South Sudan. Photo by Susan Stigant, senior program manager.

Sept. 15 is International Day of Democracy, an annual global celebration of human rights, the rule of law and other principles that unite democracies around the world. The day was designated by the United Nations to reaffirm the universality of democratic values and recognize the aspirations of people around the world to have a say in how they are governed and make free choices about how they live their lives.

Nowhere have those aspirations been more prominent this year than in North Africa, where popular uprisings have ousted dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. In Libya, the Institute has been working closely since April with the National Transitional Council (NTC) as it creates a plan for a constitution, elections, national security and the protection of civil liberties. In a country where political parties have been outlawed and maligned for 40 years, NDI is helping fledgling parties create platforms and attract supporters. Writing in the Washington Post, Les Campbell, NDI regional director for Middle East and North Africa programs, expressed optimism about the prospects of a successful transition and outlined the positive steps the council has taken already. Matyas Eörsi, resident country director in Benghazi, spoke to NPR about the high expectations — globally and in Libya — facing the country's new government.

For more than 25 years, in more than 70 countries, NDI has worked to strengthen new and emerging democracies. This Democracy Day, consider contributing to our work and support people in North Africa and around the world who want a voice in how their countries are governed.

Pakistan to Extend Political Reforms to FATA

President Asif Ali Zardari's recent decision to extend political and legal reforms to Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is the result of a lengthy effort by political parties and other organizations to bring more democratic systems of governance to a region considered a haven for militants and religious extremists. The reforms, supported by NDI, will allow political parties to form and operate in FATA for the first time, and will amend a draconian criminal code first enacted by the British in 1848.

Ensuring Women and Young People Take Part in the Political Process

Women and youth have a significant role to play in new and emerging democracies. In Sudan, caricature art helps engage young people who feel excluded from the political process. In Burkina Faso and Iraq, women are learning the skills they need to run for office and build successful political careers. In Nicaragua, the first class of graduates to earn a certificate in leadership and political management are ready to start their political careers. And in Afghanistan, one young woman is helping others prepare for careers in government by starting an internship program that places students in provincial council offices.

Celebrate Democracy with these Upcoming Events

Save the date! NDI will hold its annual democracy dinner on Nov. 7. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will headline the event, which also includes a panel discussion on the Arab Spring. The dinner and an awards ceremony will recognize those who have spent a lifetime supporting democracy.

On Sept. 23, Alassane Ouattara, president of Côte d'Ivoire, will speak at NDI, where he will discuss his government's efforts to rebuild the country's economy and foster national reconciliation in the wake of violence following last November's election. This event is full, but will be streamed live.

Toward Better Elections in Africa

Across Africa, countries are taking steps to ensure more transparent and accountable elections. A recent referendum in Liberia was monitored by the Elections Coordinating Committee, a civil society coalition that provided a nonpartisan assessment of the process and will monitor upcoming presidential and legislative elections. In Côte d'Ivoire, which recently experienced a violent crisis in the aftermath of its November presidential election, citizen election monitors gathered to discuss their role in mitigating violence in legislative polls scheduled for later this year. And in Zambia and Mauritania, NDI fielded delegations that assessed both countries' preparedness for upcoming elections and suggested improvements.

Coming Together for Common Goals

Democracy can't solve longstanding political or cultural divisions overnight, but it can bring different groups together to discuss issues and arrive at common goals. In Bosnia, eight politicians are reaching across party and ethnic lines to tackle the country's biggest challenges together. And in Honduras, where the effects of a 2009 coup and constitutional crisis are still reverberating, a series of "democracy dialogues" is bringing people together to find common ground.

Public Opinion Research for Better Policy Platforms

Public opinion research helps political parties and governments address the issues their constituents care about most. In Iraq, people want politicians to focus on jobs, the economy, and water and power delivery. In Somalia, focus group research shows that citizens are losing faith in their transitional institutions and are looking for ways to provide ideas to move their country forward. In Belarus, citizens distrust the Lukashenko regime and blame it for current economic problems. But they remain pessimistic about the prospects for opposition parties. And in South Sudan, citizens want to end tribalism above all else, seeing themselves primarily as Southern Sudanese.

NDI's Washington Office is Moving

NDI's new office

Update your address book! As of Sept. 19, NDI's Washington, D.C., headquarters will be located at 455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, on the eighth floor. All telephone numbers will remain the same.

Somalia’s Worsening Famine

fstovall — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:28:56 +0000

Source:

New York Times

Article Link:

Published Date:

09/12/2011

This New York Times editorial highlights the importance of good governance in avoiding future famines in the Horn of Africa, especially in Somalia. The current weakness of the government is making it much harder to deliver food aid safely and efficiently, and also makes it more likely that the structural problems exacerbating the famine stay in place.

While the immediate need to distribute food is still of utmost importance, doing so while neglecting governance, corruption and conflict will make future crises more likely.

Research Shows Somali People Are Eager to Engage in a New Way Forward

rrunyan — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:09:26 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

08/10/2011

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

Media Type:

PDF

English

Attachment	Size
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Mohamed Abdirizak

fstovall — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:27:37 +0000

Mohamed Abdirizak joined NDI as a resident country director for Somalia in 2010. Mr. Abdirizak has worked vigorously to promote unity and stability in Somalia since 2007. Prior to joining NDI, he served as a political advisor to the special representative of the secretary general at U.N. Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS).

From 2007 - 2008 Mr. Abdirizak served as an advisor and chief of staff to the president of Somalia. He played an active role in the Djibouti peace process where an agreement was signed in August 2008. Since then he has been involved in the international initiatives to re-establish the government and promote peace and security in Somalia. He has shown great leadership in facilitating discussions and negotiations of the Joint Security Committee and the High Level Committee to promote peace and security for Somalia.

Mr. Abdirizak is highly regarded among his Somali colleagues as well as the diplomatic community working on Somalia for his leadership and ability to forge ties between various political and regional actors and opposition members in the country and in the diaspora.

Prior to working with the Transitional Federal Government and UNPOS, Mr. Abdirizak worked with private sector firms in the U.S. and with international organizations including the U.N. Development Programme in Somalia and the World Bank.

Mohamed Abdirizak received his B.S. in agriculture from N.W.F.P Agricultural University in Pakistan. He earned a master’s degree in international relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

Mr. Abdirizak is married and is the father of two children. He is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya.

New Report Shows Somalis Reject Clan

fstovall — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:33:46 +0000

Somali citizens are eager for peace and security to prevail in their country. They favor a strong national government based on Islamic law, and they see clan divisions as perpetuating the ongoing conflict. They are also evenly divided on the merits of democracy as a political system.

These findings are detailed in Looking Toward the Future: Citizen Attitudes about Peace, Governance and the Future of Somalia. The report compiles the findings of 38 focus groups with average Somali citizens and 35 one-on-one interviews with traditional and religious leaders conducted in June by NDI.

The focus groups found that, in addition to seeking an end to the chaos around them, citizens want the government to improve their quality of life through improvements to education, health care, economic opportunities and infrastructure. Participants felt strongly that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG), which was put in place by the 2008 Djibouti Peace Agreement, exists in name only — that its legitimacy derives only from the fact that it has international recognition.

If they were designing their own government, Somali participants identified three key features they would include: rule by Islamic law instead of by clans; leaders chosen by the people through elections where all Somalis are fairly represented; and leadership by highly-qualified intellectuals and scholars.

On the clan question, most citizens identified primarily as Somali. "We must open a dialogue, sit at the table together, and mend fences with each other," according to one Somali participant.

Participants had mixed views about democracy in general, and democracy for Somalia in particular. Somalis holding primarily positive views were roughly equal to those holding primarily negative views. Those with positive views of democracy believed that it allows people to have the freedom to choose the leaders and type of government they want, including one founded on Islamic law, and that it allows people to express their opinions freely. They associated democracy with good governance and the rule of law, and believed it fostered equality, thereby combating the negative effects of clanism. Those who disagreed and saw democracy as primarily negative believe that democracy is hostile to religion and is therefore anti-Islamic. They indicated it emanates from the West and is designed to further Western interests.

As a next step for their country, participants want reconciliation talks between the government and armed opposition.

NDI has shared the findings of the focus groups with government officials, civil society organizations and international nongovernmental organizations as they work to create a conflict-free country. The Institute conducted the research with the support of six committed civil society organizations based in Somalia and Kenya.

Related:

Pictured above: The cover of Looking Toward the Future.

Published January 4, 2011

Looking Toward the Future: Citizen Attitudes about Peace, Governance and the Future in Somalia

fstovall — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:08:06 +0000

Author:

Andrea L. Levy

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/06/2010

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Focus groups conducted across Somalia show that citizens are eager for peace and security in a country that has been at war for 20 years. They see the country's clan system as the main driver of ongoing conflict and are evenly divided on the merits of democracy as a political system.

English

Attachment	Size
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NDI E-news: In-Country Perspectives, Sudan, El Salvador

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:10:22 +0000

October 2009

NDI Offers an "In-Country Perspective"

More than 1,000 expatriates and local staff work for NDI in nearly 80 countries around the world. Their daily interactions with NDI's partners on the ground give them unique insights into the challenges of supporting and strengthening democratic institutions, sometimes under very difficult circumstances.

A special section on our website, "In-Country Perspectives" at www.ndi.org is devoted to highlighting their stories. Here are a few examples:

NDI senior program officer Michael Rifer's narrative about the impact of NDI's radio distribution and civic education program in the Sudanese village of Leer. Read more»

An interview with NDI's Macedonia Director Chris Henshaw about a code of conduct campaign that NDI supported during spring elections that helped Macedonia largely avoid violence and voting irregularities. Read more»

In Iraq, young activists from different ethnic, religious and regional backgrounds attended a "Youth for Change" camp, sharing ideas and collaborating on solutions to political challenges in their country. Read more»

John Manley, former Canadian deputy prime minister and a member of NDI's delegation to observe the Aug. 20 elections in Afghanistan, reflected on his experience in an op-ed in the Toronto Globe and Mail. Read more»

Perspectives from Mali, Ecuador and Afghanistan are coming soon.

NDI 2.0

We're on Facebook and Twitter! Become a fan of NDI on Facebook and follow @NDI on Twitter. Keep track of new stories, events, publications and political insights from NDI and its staff.

Educating New Voters in Sudan

In preparation for elections in southern Sudan next April, the Sudanese Network for Democratic Elections (SuNDE), a network of over 70 Sudanese civic organizations, with NDI support has concluded a successful two-week voter education campaign, conducting 375 events in 37 counties in all 10 states of southern Sudan. The presidential, parliamentary and local elections will be the first nationwide vote since the start of Sudan’s civil war, which began in 1986 and ended in 2005 with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

In Somalia, Website Helps to Create a Dialogue

The Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the internationally recognized government of Somalia since 2004, launched its first official website with technical and strategic support from NDI. The government’s website is a major component of the TFG’s initiative to increase dialogue with Somali citizens. It includes an "Ask The Government" section that helps citizens connect with their elected leaders.

Democracy is...

The Democracy Video Challenge, a global project to celebrate democracy through film, has launched its second annual competition. NDI is a partner in the Challenge, which invites citizens from around the world to create video shorts that complete the phrase: "Democracy is..." in an effort to enhance the global dialogue on democracy.

Winners of the inaugural challenge came from Iran, Brazil, Poland, Zambia, Nepal and the Philippines. Watch the winning videos from 2009 or enter your own video to win in 2010.

In Afghan Runoff, NDI Urges Improved Security, Other Measures

With the announcement of a runoff presidential election in Afghanistan on Nov. 7, NDI recommended steps to address problems of the August balloting, such as so-called "ghost" voting. The Institute, which conducted an international observation mission for the Aug. 20 elections, has continued to monitor the process and will field a group of experts for the runoff.

Women Leaders Learn From Each Other in El Salvador

Current and former women leaders from across the political spectrum recently came together in San Salvador to discuss women's issues in the country, and to decide on an agenda to move those issues forward. The women set as their priorities promoting a national budget with a gender focus, advancing a law that guarantees equal opportunity for women and men, and a law against femicide, the killing of a woman based on gender, a crime that is not currently recognized and often goes unpunished.

NDI Releases Reports on Bosnia, Sudan and the Roma

NDI frequently publishes reports, handbooks, manuals and assessments about the state of democracy in many of the countries in which it works. Some recent publications:

NDI's assessment of the political situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina since the Dayton accords identifies challenges to democracy that the young nation continues to face. Read the assessment»
Imagining the Election is the culmination of interviews and focus groups from across Sudan, which analyzes the country's hopes and expectations for the April 2010 presidential and parliamentary elections. Read the report»
The Roma are the largest ethnic minority in central and eastern Europe. A new NDI report analyzes the political progress they've made in the region and the challenges they still face. Read the report»

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide by promoting citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Somali Government Launches Website to Expand Outreach to Citizens

rrunyan — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:59:11 +0000

The transitional government in Somalia is seeking to boost public dialogue through its new website that allows citizens to speak directly to government officials.

NDI provided technical and strategic support for what is the first official website of the Somali Transitional Federal Government.

The transitional government in Somalia is seeking to boost public dialogue through its new website - http://www.tfgsomalia.net/ - that allows citizens to speak directly to government officials.

The launch ran in conjunction with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s August visit to Africa when, while in Nairobi, she stated that the United States will continue to expand and extend its assistance to Somalia.

NDI provided technical and strategic support for what is the first official website of the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG), the internationally recognized government of Somalia since 2004. The government’s website is a major component of the TFG’s initiative to increase dialogue with Somali citizens.

A section entitled “Ask the Government” enables citizens to write in and express concerns or ask questions of government officials. During the first three weeks after its launch, the website received over 7,300 visits. Officials are anticipating increased traffic as more content is added and the Somali citizenry becomes more familiar with the site.

The TFG is also using the website as part of an effort to increase contact and information sharing with local media. The site includes news reports and news releases as well as information about the president, the prime minister and government ministries.

Published on September 30, 2009

Teaching Women to Govern in the Emerging World | Summer 2009

fstovall — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:34:56 +0000

Beyond the Hill| Link to story »

It was too dangerous to travel to Somalia, so they met in Uganda instead. Amidst the political turmoil in the country, the Hon. Sarmite Bulte went to educate Somali women, teaching them about leadership, each other and the transition to democracy.

Sarmite travelled to the Ugandan capital of Kampala with a team from the National Democratic Institute. Together, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development, they held a four day training session for 17 Somali women parliamentarians and female representatives from non-governmental organizations.

Link to story »

Members of Parliament Form the Somali Women Parliamentarians’ Association

ggreene — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:39:06 +0000

Following the return of the Somali government to Mogadishu in February, Somali women parliamentarians have recognized the opportunity to expand their participation and impact. They have agreed to create the Somali Women Parliamentarians’ Association (SOWPA). The decision grew out of an NDI-organized study tour to Uganda designed to help women members of parliament and civil society members plan their legislative and advocacy initiatives.

The withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia last January and the return of the president, prime minister and parliamentarians to Mogadishu at the end of February created an opportunity for Somali women seeking to play a greater role in the new unity government. To aid in this effort, NDI organized a two-day study tour to Uganda and a four-day workshop in Mogadishu to help women members of parliament (MPs) and civil society representatives plan legislative and advocacy initiatives. The programs resulted in the creation of the Somali Women Parliamentarians’ Association (SOWPA).

The Uganda study mission focused on the role women played in drafting the Ugandan constitution and on the operation of the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), including how it prioritizes issues, builds consensus and crafts legislative strategy. UWOPA members explained the importance of women’s caucuses and how they complement parliamentary women’s/gender committees. The information was particularly useful for the Somali women, who have a faced backlash from some members of the Somali Transitional Federal Parliament who argued that a women’s caucus is unnecessary because a parliamentary gender committee already exists.

The study mission also stressed the value of coordination among women in parliament and civil society with the Ugandan women MPs and NGO leaders sharing examples of successful collaboration. The Somali NGO leaders also met with representatives of Ugandan NGOs, who shared strategies for interacting with lawmakers and influencing public policy.

At the four-day workshop, the Somali women worked on a legislative advocacy agenda, which led to the decision to form the Somali women’s caucus. Participants drew on NDI’s experiences from other regions to explore different women’s caucus models,, identify priority issues and develop the guiding values, vision, mission and internal policies to govern the caucus. NDI continues to support the women MPs as they formalize the caucus and take steps to increase cooperation with civil society.

Published May 22, 2009

Somalia: Female parliamentarians go for Training in Kampala | April 2, 2009

ggreene — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:01:23 +0000

Somaliweyn Media Center | Link to story »

Thirteen Somali female legislators, and four other women representing civil society have reached the capital city of Uganda, Kampala, in East Africa to attend workshops pertaining to what democracy is, and how an effective constitution can be set. This training is sponsored by an American organization named the National Democratic Institute, or NDI.

Link to story »

NDI - Somalia

Somalia's New Man

NDI E-news: Women's Leadership, Zambia, Focus Group Research | October 2011

STAY CONNECTED

CONTRIBUTE

READ MORE

Research Shows Somali People Are Eager to Engage in a New Way Forward

Searching for Peace: Views and Comments from Somalia on the Foundations of a New Government

NDI E-news: Democracy Day, Libya, Pakistan, African Elections | Sept. 2011

STAY CONNECTED

CONTRIBUTE

READ MORE

Somalia’s Worsening Famine

Research Shows Somali People Are Eager to Engage in a New Way Forward

Mohamed Abdirizak

New Report Shows Somalis Reject Clan

Looking Toward the Future: Citizen Attitudes about Peace, Governance and the Future in Somalia

NDI E-news: In-Country Perspectives, Sudan, El Salvador

October 2009

NDI Offers an "In-Country Perspective"

NDI 2.0

Educating New Voters in Sudan

In Somalia, Website Helps to Create a Dialogue

Democracy is...

In Afghan Runoff, NDI Urges Improved Security, Other Measures

Women Leaders Learn From Each Other in El Salvador

NDI Releases Reports on Bosnia, Sudan and the Roma

Somali Government Launches Website to Expand Outreach to Citizens

Teaching Women to Govern in the Emerging World | Summer 2009

Members of Parliament Form the Somali Women Parliamentarians’ Association

Somalia: Female parliamentarians go for Training in Kampala | April 2, 2009