Kismayo, 26 November 2023 – To enhance the protection of women’s rights, the Jubaland state administration supported by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), on Saturday launched the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence pledging to eliminate violence against women and girls in the region.
Organised by the ATMIS Civilian Sector Coordinating Team in conjunction with the local administration,the event held in the Jubaland State capital, Kismayo, brought together various women’s rights advocacy groups.
“As a ministry, we are committed to eliminating Gender Based Violence and protect women’s human rights. We have been effective in reducing the number of cases of violations, and our public awareness campaigns have had a substantial impact,” said Adar Ismail Jurati, the Jubaland State Minister of Women and Family Affairs.
Citing a young lady who suffered trauma as a result of a forced early marriage, Adar affirmed her ministry’s commitment to support the protection of women and girls in the region.
“We are also raising awareness about early marriages and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and I would like to advise fathers not to force their daughters into early marriages before they are psychologically and physically ready,” she advised. The launch also marked the culmination of a series of sensitization and capacity building workshops by the ATMIS Human Rights and Gender Protection (HRPG) Division targeting Jubaland State administration officials,Somali security forces (SSF), civil society organisations and community leaders.
This year’s theme, “UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls” is part of ATMIS’ commitment to efforts to end violence against women and girls.
Experts and representatives from civil society organisations working on issues impacting women and girls, as well as members of the public who attended the launch, engaged in discussions aimed at raising awareness about human rights violations.
Idris Hassan Mohamud, the Director General of the Jubaland Ministry of Women and Family Affairs, emphasized the shared responsibility to protect vulnerable groups.
“The aim of the 16 Days of Activism is to remind us that it is our obligation to uphold the Human Rights Act, with a particular focus on defending the rights of our women and girls,” said Mohamud.
