WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN SOMALILAND: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

Women are the most imperative in Somaliland democracy. They are the ones who take part in the political campaigns, support the candidates, and cast the most votes on Election Day but all their efforts are in vain. This study aims to examine in depth the challenges facing Somaliland's women in political involvement and the opportunities available. The study uses the primary data that has been collected through questionnaires. The study results concluded that the most respondents significantly agreed with the existence of challenges against women Political participation in Somaliland, resulting in a mean index of 3.68. The researcher has explicitly revealed four different challenges and these common challenges of women's political participation are political, cultural, religious and socio-economic challenges. On the other hand, the most respondents significantly agreed that women in Somaliland have a variety of opportunities to engage in politics, resulting in a mean index of 3.71. The study revealed that gender quota, the adoption of gender policies and regulations, and promoting women's socioeconomic status, are one of these opportunities for women to engage in politics. In this regards the study recommends that the government and all concerned institutions should move quickly to adopt policies and laws to motivate and empower women’s participation in politics.