Women’s Representation in Focus as Somalia Prepares for Galmudug Local Elections

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Federal Government of Somalia’s Family and Human Rights Development Minister Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, has called on political parties and election officials to ensure that women receive at least 30% representation in the upcoming local council elections in Galmudug state.

In statements, the minister urged electoral authorities, political organisations, federal and state institutions, civil society groups and the wider public to work together to protect women’s participation in the polls.

She said women’s inclusion in political decision-making was both a constitutional right and an important part of Somalia’s efforts to build more inclusive governance.

The appeal comes as Galmudug prepares for local elections that are expected to form part of Somalia’s wider transition towards direct voting, a process that has gathered pace in several parts of the country after decades of indirect electoral systems.

Ms Al-Makhzoumi said the long-standing target of reserving 30% of positions for women should be respected during candidate selection and throughout the electoral process.

“Women play an important role in peacebuilding, development and state-building, and their participation in public affairs should be safeguarded,” the ministry said in its statement.

Women’s political representation has remained one of Somalia’s most debated governance issues. Although successive Somali administrations and political leaders have pledged to uphold a minimum 30% quota, the target has often fallen short in parliamentary and regional elections.

Women’s rights advocates have repeatedly argued that greater female participation strengthens democratic institutions and broadens representation in decision-making.

The Galmudug elections are being closely watched as part of Somalia’s broader electoral reforms, which aim to expand direct elections at local and regional levels. Supporters say the process could increase public participation, while critics have called for wider political consensus on how future elections should be organised.

For many Somali women seeking a greater voice in public life, the outcome of the Galmudug polls may serve as an important indicator of how far commitments on political inclusion are translated into practice.