Somali culture and women’s political participation in Hargeisa Region of Somaliland

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Date
2011-03
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Publisher
Kampala International University, Colleges of Humanities and Social Sciences
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to know the role of Somali culture which is based on Somali pastoral norms and Islamic religion on the women political participation specially the participation of women for the local council and parliamentary election which was held between 2002 up to 2005 respectively. The specific objectives of this study were, to determine the effect of religion (Islam) on the political participation of women in Somaliland; to investigate the role of traditional Somali Cultural norms on the political participation of women in Somaliland and to identify the effects of the structure of the society on political participation of women in Somaliland. Questionnaires and interview were used to collect data from 100 respondents selected purposely from 1000 members of non governmental organizations, women candidates for the last two elections in Somaliland, ministry of family plan and political parts. The study found out that Somali culture and Islamic religion participate the fail of women for last elections, it also found out that Islamic scholars strongly disagree in the participation of women in decision making area and they clearly state that the religion does not permit the women to be the head of the state; it also found out that the Somali elders only campaign men candidates rather than both women and men. The government of Somaliland should come up with an official policy, which initiates national programs to include women in political, social and economic decision making; it also recommended encouraging the women in political participation
Description
A Thesis presented to The School of Postgraduate Studies and Research, Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree Master of Arts in Development Studies
Keywords
Somali culture, Women, Somali land, Political participation, Hargesia Region
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