London, Nov 14, 2005 (CIIR) – The joint statement was drafted and signed by seven civil society organizations in Somaliland, including CIIR/ICD partners the women's umbrella group NAGAAD, the Women Decision-Making Forum and other human rights groups and networks. It was sent to the government following the country's first-ever parliamentary elections and congratulates the people of Somaliland for participating in such peaceful elections as well as the 246 candidates 'that withstood the challenges of the multi-party electoral exercise.'

But it then sets out a raft of demands that would help give women the chance to participate more fully in the democratization process. The appeal points to key campaign endeavors to ensure women's participation and inclusion in the state's decision-making organs. And it says that 'in a clan-based society struggling to transform itself into a multi-party democracy a quota for women is the only solution to advance the participation of women who essentially contributed to peace building and economic reconstruction and rehabilitation of this country.

'It is the only solution to protect and advance its political rights... We believe that women, who [comprise] 60 per cent of Somaliland's population, are the most vulnerable sectors of the society hence it is extremely disappointing that Somaliland's political condition only allowed two women MP members to represent the women population'.

The statement urges the president and the new parliament to amend the constitution and the electoral law to guarantee a quota for women. It also demands that the political parties seriously review their conduct during the parliamentary elections and internally assess their actions to review the extent of their support - or lack of support - to women.

Dr Steve Kibble, CIIR Advocacy Coordinator for Africa and Yemen , said he was pleased that CIIR/ICD's local partners have moved swiftly to attempt to redress one of the major problems identified by local and international observers.

'While CIIR was disappointed at the scarcity of female candidates overall, we were pleased with the high level of participation by women in voting itself and recognize that this represents the start of an improvement in female political representation'.

Dr Kibble added: 'CIIR looks forward to working with Somaliland civil society to take this major drawback to the reasonably free and fair electoral process forward. Somaliland needs not just fairness in representation of all its population but to use the skills and commitment of Somaliland women.'

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