Gender Disparity and The Role of Women in Somalia

 

Somalia’s Gender Inequality Index is currently at 0.776 (with a maximum index of 1 that denotes total inequality) and the fourth place in the global ranking. While state law may support women, societal norms are largely built on traditional and customary values.

To that end, gender-based violence mostly goes unreported; even when it is reported, it’s mostly unpunished, and there’s little to no conversation about it. In fact, the clan system in Somalia systematically omits women from participating in any decision-making for the clan. Even if they have anything to report, a male relative typically represents them in front of the clan.

In this article, we’re going to explore the different aspects of gender inequality in Somalia and how it defines the country’s patriarchal structure.

Marriage for Women

Women in Somalia are generally married off at an early age. About 45% of women are reported to be in a union before they even turn 18. This directly impacts female education and the gender roles that form after marriage.

Gender Roles in Somalia

Once married, both men and women are required to follow clearly defined gender roles. Men are responsible for the family’s financials, while women take on domestic obligations such as cooking and raising children. Women, particularly elderly ones, also have a major influence on home life and are responsible for making some major decisions for the household.

Women as Bread Winners

With inflation, civil war, male migration, and impending famine, women have also emerged as breadwinners for the family. In fact, Somali women are famously known to be incredibly entrepreneurial and business-minded. Currently, approximately 70% of households are headed and run by females who are either abandoned or widowed.

Somali Women’s Freedom to Make Choices

The Somali culture is fairly patriarchal, and men have a paternalistic attitude toward the females related to them. This is one of the major reasons why women have limited freedom to make their own choices. In other cases, social norms and practices prevalent in the country also keep women from participating in several societal practices.

Women’s Sexual Modesty

There’s a significant emphasis on women’s sexual modesty in Somali culture. Practices such as female genital mutilation are still common, with nearly 98% of women being subjected to it. Women are also required to display their modesty by being polite, humble, and reserved, while they’re seen as the more vulnerable group.

Needless to say, there’s a wide gap between men and women in society, but thankfully, the younger generation is working to empower women. In fact, many refugee women are actively involved in uplifting and improving the living conditions of other Somali women.

Want to learn more about Somali culture and media? The Somali Link Newspaper is the ultimateSomali newspaper site where you can not only getSomali news but also learn all about their culture and values.

The newspaper also has separate sections for sports, business, and entertainment news and a dedicated section for Columbus-based Somali community news.

Get in touch with their team to learn more.

 

 

 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

4 Somali Events Celebrated Every Year

Image
  Somalia is a predominantly Islamic country, with 99% of the population  identifying as Sunni Muslims. The yearly festivities are largely based on important religious events and are celebrated with the rest of the Muslims around the world. Of course, Somalis put their own twist on the Islamic events that make their celebrations unique in their own way. The Somali culture is a rich mix of South Asian influences as well as traditional African elements. In this article, we’re going to be describing the major Somali events that are celebrated every year. 1.  Independence Day of Somalia Somalia celebrates its National Independence Day on 26 th  June. This day marks freedom from colonial rule (British and Italian) that started in 1840 and went on until 1960. That said, the country is still not free from oppression and violence as it still faces political instability  and lawlessness at the hands of clans and terrorist groups. 2.  Neeroosh Neeroosh, also called D...
Read more

The Current Status of the Food Crisis in Somalia

Image
  Somalia is currently facing one of the worst food crises in the world. In fact, it’s currently at the top spot on the International Rescue Committee’s Emergency Watchlist . The situation is only worsening due to Somalia’s internal instability and ongoing conflict, paired with repeated failed monsoon seasons. As the population inches closer to starvation, the country requires attention from the global community to fight the underlying causes of the problem and prevent deaths. In this article, we’re going to discuss the outlook of the food crisis in Somalia and where it’s headed in the near future. Outlook of the Food Crisis in Somalia According to the latest numbers by the United Nations, about 8.5 million people  in Somalia require protection and humanitarian assistance, while approximately 5 million are facing acute food shortages. On top of this, about 1.8 million children are estimated to be malnourished and highly susceptible to catching illnesses such as diarrhea and an...
Read more

How are Somali Entrepreneurs Paving the Way for Economic Growth?

Image
  In the midst of challenges, Somali entrepreneurs are emerging as beacons of hope as they propel economic growth and innovation in the region. Despite a history of conflict and instability, these visionary individuals are reshaping the economic landscape by creating opportunities, fostering creativity, and inspiring change. Here’s how. Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst Somali entrepreneurs  are not just business leaders; they are change agents who recognize the untapped potential within their communities. With a deep understanding of local needs and a drive for progress, they are pioneers in diverse industries, ranging from technology and agriculture to hospitality and retail. Their ventures generate economic value, empower individuals, and uplift communities. Innovating in Challenging Environments Somali entrepreneurs are navigating an uncertain environment, displaying remarkable resilience and adaptability. They find innovative solutions to address pressing challenges, often l...
Read more