Somalia’s Lower House Passes Rape and Sexual Offences Bill

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s House of the People has approved a bill addressing rape and sexual offences, advancing efforts to strengthen the country’s legal framework for tackling sexual violence.

The legislation secured overwhelming support from lawmakers, with 132 members voting in favour, three against and five abstaining during a parliamentary session in Mogadishu.

Speaker of the House of the People Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur (Jama), who presided over the sitting alongside Second Deputy Speaker Abdullahi Omar Abshirow, announced the results after the vote.

The bill’s passage marks a significant step in Somalia’s efforts to address sexual violence, a longstanding concern in a country where rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger legal protections and greater accountability for perpetrators.

The legislation will now proceed through the remaining stages of the legislative process before it can become law.

During the same session, lawmakers also held the third reading of the Electronic Transactions Bill, discussing its provisions and relevance to the country’s evolving digital sector.

Closing the sitting, Speaker Nur thanked lawmakers for carrying out their constitutional responsibilities and urged them to uphold parliamentary discipline, integrity and the dignity of the House.

The approval comes amid broader efforts to strengthen Somalia’s legal and judicial institutions and improve access to justice, particularly for vulnerable groups.