THE WOMEN OF SOMALIA

A LITTLE ABOUT ME… My name is Jess, I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of

Science Degree in Nursing. I work as an R.N. at a small hospital, mostly in the field of

Pediatrics. I was recently married and am enjoying married life with

my husband. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family,

especially my 5 nephews. I also enjoy playing softball, attending sporting events especially the Twins and the MN Wild, I also enjoy hunting and fishing.

The field of nursing is very important to me as I feel that I can make a difference for many individuals and their families.

I love to be challenged in my occupation, and I one day hope that women across the globe can have the same freedoms and luxuries that we in the U.S. have.

INTRODUCTION I have always been interested in women’s issues as I

always wanted to be “better than the boys” many times throughout my life.

I believe that women are equivalent to men, but that women had to work very hard to achieve the recognition we have today.

I first became interested in Somalia when I was young as my older brother was stationed there in the1990’s on a tour while in the U.S. Air Force. He did not talk much of his mission, he only told us that we should be very happy and grateful to live in the U.S. He went on to explain how terrible the conditions were there then

and how brutally the women and children were treated. The conditions in Somalia have all but gotten worse since his

time there. Because of his experience I became interested in the

women of Somalia.

INTRODUCTION Somalia is located in Eastern Africa,

bordering the Indian Ocean. The estimated population of Somalia for

2010 is 9,832,017. Of this population estimate 4,926,566 are

girls/women of all ages (0-65+) The median age of females in Somalia is 17.7 years.

Compared to the U.S. where this age is 38.1 years. Life expectancy at birth for females in Somalia is 51.53

years. Compared to life expectancy at birth for females in

the U.S. which is 80.69 years (Central Intelligence Agency, 2010).

FACTS OF SOMALIA Somalia has been marked by decades of war, poverty, under-

investment, conflict, insecurity, displacements, and natural disasters.

Somalia gained independence in 1960, but has not had a central state authority since 1991. This has caused a poor outlook and health status for the women

and children of this country. Somalia has a high fertility and maternal mortality rate

(1,400/100,000 live births) and low levels of access to quality health care services.

Virtually no health care system exists in Somalia, as the literacy rate is so high there is a small proportion of the population that is able to be trained to be health care professionals.

This country is in severe poverty with a poverty rate at over 43% (Sorbye & Leigh, 2009). As this country is so poor it has been faced with periods of famine

and drought which has forced the people of this country to seek out aid in the form of food.

FACTS OF SOMALIA CONT. Estimates show that only 20% of Somalia is

literate, most of the literate individuals are men, however women are starting to become literate in this country (Central Intelligence Agency, 2010). Somali women do not have a voice, they are kept

in the dark as they are not educated to understand that the treatment that they receive is unethical.

Many young Somali women are married off at a young age in arranged marriages; they are unaware that they have the potential to gain an education to avoid an arranged marriage and to make a better life for themselves.

SOMALI WOMEN WAITING IN LINE FOR FOOD.

The women pictured here are standing in line to receive food from soldiers. These food lines mean life for these women and their families. Without the food that is provided here these women and their families would spend each day feeling hungrier than the last.

(n.d). Somalia, Mogadishu, women waiting to receive food from soldiers. Retrieved from Image Collection database.

FACTS OF SOMALI WOMEN The effects of a continued civil war and the

absence of a central government have negatively impacted all the citizens of Somalia, mostly women. Women are targeted frequently within war-related

violence, which includes kidnappings, sexual assault, and rape.

In addition to these items, Somali women also fall victim to domestic violence, hunger, extreme poverty, and increasing levels of potentially preventable disease.

Women compromise 40% of the Somali workforce, yet their financial compensation is scant, not enough to sustain a single person or an entire family. Due to the lack of financial stability many Somali women turn

to prostitution to earn enough money to care for their families (Sorbye & Leigh, 2009).

FACTS OF SOMALI WOMEN CONT.

Because women are not seen as equal to men in Somalia laws that have been put into place to protect them are not enforced. Many Somali women are raped, many times by

various gangs, police, and militia. The frequency of rapes has contributed to the

increased spread of HIV and AIDS to this region (AFROL, n.d.).

No established government or protection has been established to prevent these acts from occurring to these women.

As there is no established government women do not have a voice within the government to fight for the rights of women.

ISLAMIC SOMALI REFUGEE WOMAN

Islamic Somali refugee women on the Somali Kenya Border region. As a result of the ongoing Somali conflict there is a steady influx of Somali refugees coming into Kenya building tension in the region.

(2006). Photo by Brent Stirton/Getty Images. Retrieved from Image Collection database.

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS/CULTURE 99% of Somali people are Muslim and participate in

traditional Muslim and some non-Muslim religious practices. The Somali interpretations of Islam do not favor women, which

results in an almost universal practice of female genital mutilation.

Almost 98% of Somali women undergo FGM in some form. Infibulation is the type of FGM that is practiced in Somalia, this is the

most severe form of FGM (Sorbye & Leigh, 2009).

Many of the Muslim groups are part of terror networks which has resulted in an increase in terrorist attacks.

The culture of Somalia is extremely patriarchal which results in women being subordinated systematically. Polygyny is permitted, but polyandry is not.

Several groups in Somalia actively promote equal rights for women and advocate for the inclusion of women in responsible government positions (AFROL, n.d.).

ZAM ZAM ABDULLAHI ABDI

This women is a human rights activist in Somalia. She is the building officer for the Coalition for Grassroots Women Organizations (COGWO), and she is the chairperson for the Somali branch of the African network for prevention and Protection of child abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN).

FUTURE FOR WOMEN IN SOMALIA

Because of individuals like Zam Zam Abdullahi Abdi the status of the women of Somalia has the potential to improve.

Healthy, educated women are the future of Somalia.

If it is possible to provide adequate care and resources to the women of Somalia, this country may be successful and may be able to overcome the obstacles they have faced for many years.

It has been proven that when women of a particular region are cared for and are educated the country has the potential to be successful.

REFERENCES AFROL (n.d.) AFROL gender profiles: Somalia. Retrieved

from http://www.afrol.com/Categories/Women/profiles/somalia_women.htm

Amnesty International. (2009). Struggling for women’s rights in Somalia. Retrieved from http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/feature-stories/struggling-womens-rights-somalia-20090120

Central Intelligence Agency . (2010). The world fact book Africa: Somalia. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/so.html

Sorbye, I., & Leigh, B. (2009). Somalia: reproductive health national strategy and action plan 2010-2015. Retrieved from http://www.emro.who.int/somalia/pdf/Reproductive%20Health.pdf