deqayasin.com
The development of this website is aimed at documenting my experience as a public servant and a civil society actor in Somalia and beyond.
Like in many other cultures, the Somali society relies on oral history, or on the memory of its people for the passing on of culture, traditions, and other legacies. However, following the disruptive violence and turmoil caused by the civil war in 1991, reliance on our elders to pass down our society’s values, heritage and memories is but a distant memory. Our young people who are born during this season of instability are bound to inherit a depleted legacy, fraught with misinformation. Unfortunately, this scenario is compounded by limited information in the public domain. Often, the few sources of information that are available are not widely and openly accessible.
One of the main obstacles in institution building in Somalia is lack of proper documentation. This means that institutional memory, which is critical not only for smooth management and transitions in institutions, but also for accountability to the wider citizenry, is often disrupted. The lack of documentation and institutional memory within government as well as within the civil society means that if and when there is leadership change in an institution, the norm is often to start all over again, rather than build on what has been learned and achieved, leading to institutional stagnation. Such stagnation has made an impact on societal progress. However, this website will reflect on the processes and changes made during my time as Minister of Women and Human Rights Development of Somalia. It narrates my position as Minister of Women and Human Rights Development of Somalia, and the changes that I presided over.
I had the opportunity and the honour to be appointed as the Minister of Women and Human Rights Development of Somalia from 29 March 2017 to October 2020. Prior to this ministerial appointment, I held the position of Deputy Chair of the Federal Indirect Election Implementation Team (FIET), where I supported efforts leading to an increase in women’s representation in the two houses of the Federal Parliament of Somalia from 14% in 2012 to 25% in 2016.
Before holding public office, I worked at IIDA Women’s Development Organisation, a civil society organisation established in 1991, that promotes peace-building, women’s empowerment, and human rights in Somalia. While at IIDA, I represented the civil society in the New Deal for Somalia, where I provided constructive support for the efforts of the government in the process, while at the same time being vigilant to ensure that the civil and political rights of the citizens were upheld. I used the opportunity to wholeheartedly engage in building trust between the civil society and the government for the purpose of enabling Somalia to move forward.
The intention of this website is to document my work and experiences, in the hope that it will contribute to increased understanding of governance processes in Somalia and help enable others to build on existing steps and lessons learned.
The website is organized in six sections: 2016 Election, Human Rights, (Child Rights, Disability Rights, and UN Treaty Bodies), Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment and International Engagements.
Each section describes the milestones, achievements and rationale behind taking some paths, as well as providing additional links to further details.
My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Allah, my loving and supporting family, friends, and the awesome staff that believed and supported me in my journey. Thank you.
» Somalia Women’s Rights » The National Union of Somali Journalists » Women, Peace, Security and Development » Human rights in in Somalia » 41st Regular Session Human Rights Council » 35th Meeting, 39th Regular Session Human Rights Council » Women’s Charter at 63rd Commission on the Status of Women event in New York » Centrality of Gender Equality to National Cohesion and Sustainable Peacebuilding » Women, Peace, Security and Development