SIDRA Institute

SIDRA

Rape: A Rising Crisis and Reality for the Women in Somalia

This policy paper will examine rape culture in the context of traditional norms, historic nature of rape, rape as a weapon of war and the manner in which rape has climaxed in recent years. The aim is to analyze and dissect how powerlessness, inequality, entrenched cultural perception of gender and women’s place in society and the breakdown of social norms due to the Somali state failure are contributing to the increase in the incidences of sexual violence against Somali women, leading to horrific cases of rape on Somali women and girls. The policy brief will inform the impact of intersectionality of patriarchy, objectification, gender stereotypes, and normalized rape culture all precipitating the onset of rape and subsequent lack of reporting and criminalization.

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Gender Dimensions of Climate Change Related Projects in Somalia

Through the support of Diakonia Somalia, this study was carried out in between December 2018 and January 2019 to assess the gender dimensions of climate change related projects in Somalia. The study was based on literature review and field data collection. The literature reviewed focused on Puntland and Somalia policy documents related to climate change supplemented by selected global literature that present the state of knowledge and best practice on gender and climate change. Field data was collected in six target districts (Bender Beyla, Dangorayo, Iskushuban, Harfo and Dhahar) through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Interviews were also organized with representatives of seven government ministries and four development organizations.

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The National Security Council Meeting in Mogadishu: The Sisyphean Search for Political Agreement in Somalia

On 5 April 2019 the President of the Federal government, Mr Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, has called for a meeting of the National Security Council, inviting the presidents of the Federal Member States to Mogadishu on 19 – 23 April 2019. Notwithstanding the suggestions that this NSC meeting is convened at the behest of Somalia’s international partners ahead of a crucial meeting to review Somalia Transition Plan for Security late April 2019, there is a concern that it may have been organised to shelf the Garowe conference.

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Regional Integration in the Horn of Africa: Is Prime Minister Abiy’s Initiative an Institution ahead of its Time?

The Horn of Africa (HoA) region has been riddled with inter-state armed conflict, poverty, drought, extremism and famine. Dictatorships and authoritarian regimes have ruled much of the region and contributed to the broken political and social system in the region. Decades of underdevelopment coupled with social disparity and divisions along ethnic, religious, tribal, cultural and political lines have contributed to the conflicts and social upheavals within the region. The Horn of Africa had not smelt any signs of integration until of recent in April 2018 when Mr.Abiy Ahmed was named Prime Minister of Ethiopia. It would be overly simplistic to attribute the concept of horn of Africa regional integration only to the inspiration of Mr Abiy Ahmed. For some time, this idea of regional integration was floated in a number of local and international forums as the springboard to construct viable polity to improve security and trade in the region.

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The Impact of the Role of Traditional Leaders on Politico-Governance in Somalia: Present Realities and Past Reflections

In the politically collapsed system of Somalia, the people have lent trust to the office of traditional leaders owing to the tradition’s respect to the office. In the light of this natural or circumstantial inclination, a lion’s role has been given to the elders’ office in the efforts of seeking solutions for the political problem throughout most of the last 27 years. The supposed institution is positioned today as the bedrock for improving governance and political systems in the country. But there are lingering concerns with the way in which the role is handled.

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Women, Peace and Security Agenda: Somali Women in the Post Conflict Socio-Political Arena

Between March and June (2018) SIDRA Institute, in partnership with the Swedish organization Kvinna till Kvinna, undertook a study that gathered up to date data regarding women, peace and security in Somalia. The study -which main results are summarized in this Policy Brief- developed a series of data collection tools and methodology to collect information from secondary sources (i.e. literature review) and primary data (using qualitative methods). The study was informed by the review of policy and legislative documents of the governments, international and local development partners and other key stakeholders. Primary information was collected through focus groups discussions and key informant interviews in five cities in Somalia (Garowe, Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Adado and Galkacyo) and from other stakeholders in Nairobi.

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Gender Mainstreaming in Puntland Public Institutions – A Case of Ministries of Education, Labor, Health and Planning

This study examined the extent to which gender mainstreaming was carried out in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policy, programs and projects implemented by Puntland Ministries Education; Health; Labor, Youth and Sports; and Planning and International Cooperation. The study aimed to provide insight that can contribute to promote equality among women and men in Puntland. The main methods of the study were in-depth interviews with Ministers, Director Generals, Directors, Gender Focal Points and Technical Advisers and desk review of other secondary data.

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Localizing of SDGs and SDG7 in Puntland

The study was carried out between September 2017 and January 2018 and was organized in three work areas: (i) Explore the environment, challenges and opportunities for localizing SDGs in Puntland; (ii) Generate data and information on the status of SDG 7 and provide the baseline for monitoring future progress on SDG7 in Puntland; and (iii) Based on the results of i and ii, localize SDG goal 7 with the aim of increasing use of solar power in Puntland. Public Surveys, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews were conducted at two urban areas (Bosaaso and Garowe) and two rural areas (Ely and Galdogob). A total of 800 participants were engaged at the four locations. Although the study focused on Puntland, considering the similarity between Puntland and the rest of the country in terms of level of institutional and human capacity, evolving governance structure, and social, economic and environment development constrains, it was expected that the results and experience gain would be applicable to the rest of the country within defined scope of application.

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The Gulf Crisis: Why Somalia should take a Critical Distance

To better understand the position the Somali government should take regarding the Gulf crisis, the Somalia Institute for Development and Research Analysis (SIDRA) carried out a policy briefing study in five of the major cities of Somalia (Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa, Garowe and Adado). The study collected data through public surveys and key informant Interviews. For the public interview, 166 respondents were engaged in each city and a total of 830 respondents completed the study questionnaire. 50 key informant interviews were conducted in the five cities.

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Study Report: Somali Female Police Officers

This study was carried out between September and November 2016 in close consultation with Somali police forces (Somali Police Force, Puntland Police Force and Somaliland Police Force), and addressed research questions that relate to female police officers. It covered demographics, strategic targets and initiatives, literacy levels and training, roles and functions, obstacles and perceptions, facilities, and sta development policies. Data was collected from 9 locations across the country, including Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa, Borama, Hargeisa, Burao, Garowe, Bosaaso and Qardho through a public survey, a focus group discussion and key informant interviews. The public survey of the Somali police force was carried out at both federal and state levels using elaborate questionnaires administered to 360 participants. 51 key informants drawn from the police force, civil society, community leaders and government informed this study, and nine focus group discussions were organized at the nine locations, which brought together 161 participants to discuss various issues relating to female police officers in Somalia. The study analysis was organized along seven result areas: (i) Baseline information, (ii) Strategic and operational niches for deployment of female police o cers across Somalia, (iii) Strategic approaches to gender-responsive human resource policies in police forces, (iv) Areas of support and the training needs for female o cers, (v) Challenges and obstacles to female o cers performing their functions, (vi) Development of security plans and operations to prevent and respond to SGBV, and (vii) Women’s participation and representation in the justice and security sector.

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