The Male Minister of Somalia Family Ministry Denies Opposing Women’s Quota in Politics

[Deeq A.]

Lieutenant General Bashir Mohamed Jama: “Do you hear me, Mr Chairman? I am the elder. The family has a father now.”

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) —  The Somali Minister for Families, Lieutenant General Bashir Mohamed Jama, who happens to be a man,  denied accusations that he “opposes the quota for Somali women in politics”. A female journalist interviewed the Minister on the steps of the bicameral legislature in Mogadishu  after a controversial vote on the proposed electoral model for Somalia in 2026.

“The Somali women endeavour to achieve their full 30% quota in politics, yet you are occupying the ministerial seat of the Women’s Ministry and claim to be advocating for our quota,” said the female journalist.

Lieutenant General Bashir and Godah (right) attended the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network in New York.

Bashir responded by appealing to filial piety. “I am old enough to be your father. I am not sitting on the women’s seat; I am sitting on the families’ seat,” said Bashir in an attempt to defend his position.

A clip of the question the female Somali journalist asked Lieutenant General Bashir Mohamed Jama at the bicameral legislature in Mogadishu.

At the bicameral session yesterday, Bashir said: “You are duty-bound to support meeting the women’s quota in politics. The Somali  must have 50% of the seats. Do you hear me, Mr Chairman? I am the elder. The family has a father now.”

In October, Bashir attended the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network in New York. He was accompanied by Godah, an MP and his senior adviser. “It is tone-deaf for the Somali government to have men on the frontline representing women at the conference,” BBC quoted Fatiha Absie, a Somali journalist, as saying.

© Puntland Post, 2024

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