Locations'The 30% Quota for Women in Parliament and the FGM Ban Bill Are Two Major Milestones for Somalia'
March 24, 2025
Ms. Awa Dabo, Deputy Head of the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA)
Mogadishu, Somalia - As Somalia nears the end of its current eligibility for Peacebuilding funding, a senior UN official visiting Somalia has said the country continues to be a priority, commending it for achieving major milestones in advancing women’s role in peacebuilding.
During her visit to Mogadishu, Ms. Awa Dabo, Deputy Head of the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), said the impact of the initiative supported by the Fund have produced significant results in advancing women peace and protection agenda.
"We have very strong the Woman Peace and Protection Project implemented by UNDP along with other partners [UN Women and UNTMIS]. Through this project we have seen some key achievements.” She highlighted two significant breakthroughs: the 30% parliamentary quota for women and a pending bill to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
"These are major steps forward for Somalia," Ms. Dabo stated. "The 30% quota for women’s participation in parliament is a breakthrough, ensuring greater representation in decision-making. Additionally, the FGM ban bill, once passed, will mark a critical step in protecting the rights of women and girls."
She acknowledged that implementation remains a challenge but emphasized the strong commitment from both the UN and the Somali government to turn these legislative victories into lasting change.
Another focus of PBF’s work in Somalia is youth engagement. Partnering with UNFPA, PBF leads the UN’s Youth, Peace, and Security agenda, addressing the root causes that drive young people toward extremist groups.
"With 75% of Somalia’s population being youth, they are the backbone of the country's future," Ms. Dabo remarked. She stressed the need for initiatives that create economic opportunities and prevent youth radicalization.
PBF’s investment strategy is designed to complement broader development efforts, ensuring sustainable impact.
Ms. Dabo also highlighted a unique initiative involving Somalia’s religious elders through the Ulama network. This effort seeks to counter extremist narratives by leveraging the influence of respected community leaders.
"Extremist groups manipulate religious ideology, distorting it for violent purposes. By working with religious elders, we reinforce Islam’s true message of peace and counter these negative narratives," she explained.
Looking ahead: Somalia’s peacebuilding trajectory
With Somalia nearing the end of its current eligibility for PBF funding, discussions are underway on potential re-eligibility options. The Somali government, along with the UN Country Team (UNCT), is reassessing national priorities to align future peacebuilding interventions with Somalia’s National Transformation Plan.
"PBF’s role is catalytic—our resources may not be vast, but they are strategically targeted to address specific challenges. The aim is for these interventions to be sustained beyond PBF’s involvement, integrating into government-led efforts with support from key partners such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank," Ms. Dabo stated.
During her February 18-20 visit to Mogadishu, Ms. Dabo met with UN agencies and local civil society organizations (CSOs) to assess the progress and challenges of PBF-funded Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives. She also received updates on the implementation of Somalia’s National Action Plan 1325, a key framework for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment in peace processes.
"Everything we do is designed to support the government and the Somali people. We remain committed to walking this journey together, ensuring that peacebuilding efforts continue to thrive," she said.
