The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation
The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation
The Contribution of Women to Peace and Reconciliation
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Ethiopia felt justified in military action <strong>to</strong> halt the danger <strong>of</strong> an attack on<br />
Ethiopia, <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> protect the fragile TFG. Despite this threat, the UIC lacked<br />
the military power <strong>to</strong> attack <strong>and</strong> invade Ethiopia; indeed, Ethiopia’s invasion<br />
led <strong>to</strong> the defeat <strong>of</strong> the UIC <strong>and</strong> provided an opportunity for the<br />
TFG, led by President Abdullahi Yusuf, <strong>to</strong> move in<strong>to</strong> Mogadishu in Jan -<br />
uary 2007. <strong>The</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> the Ethiopian troops in Somalia led <strong>to</strong> new<br />
waves <strong>of</strong> deadly violence, killings, destruction <strong>and</strong> displacement.<br />
Gender Relations in Somalia<br />
Somalia is a traditional nomadic <strong>and</strong> patriarchal society. Somali women<br />
occupy a position inferior <strong>to</strong> that <strong>of</strong> men; they own less, control less <strong>and</strong><br />
lack opportunities. Through socialization, men <strong>and</strong> women are assigned<br />
particular gender roles <strong>and</strong> responsibilities. In a traditional family setting,<br />
the man is the head <strong>of</strong> the household while the woman is the house<br />
manager. As the head <strong>of</strong> his house, depending on the socio-economic<br />
position <strong>of</strong> the family, the husb<strong>and</strong> owns all property <strong>and</strong> lives<strong>to</strong>ck, <strong>and</strong><br />
has the responsibility <strong>to</strong> protect <strong>and</strong> provide for his family financially.<br />
Like other women in traditional societies, Somali women spend many<br />
hours cooking, cleaning, fetching water <strong>and</strong> firewood, <strong>and</strong> caring for their<br />
family <strong>and</strong> animals. As result <strong>of</strong> the social, political <strong>and</strong> economic disintegration,<br />
the rigidly defined gender roles <strong>and</strong> responsibilities have forced<br />
Somali women <strong>to</strong> take on new roles <strong>and</strong> responsibilities without spousal<br />
<strong>and</strong> state support, <strong>to</strong> meet the immediate needs <strong>of</strong> their families.<br />
Social practices <strong>and</strong> social institutions do affect women’s access in the<br />
decision-making arena. An example <strong>of</strong> this is the clan system in Somalia,<br />
which is a patrilineal system. Through this system, men have the legitimacy<br />
<strong>to</strong> pass their clan identity <strong>to</strong> their children. <strong>The</strong>y also have rights<br />
<strong>and</strong> entitlements within the clan system, unlike women, who are in a<br />
subordinate position. <strong>Women</strong> are not considered <strong>to</strong> be rightful clan<br />
members, but temporary members who will later join other clans. Due<br />
<strong>to</strong> the patriarchal nature <strong>of</strong> the Somali people, women cannot pass their<br />
clan identities on <strong>to</strong> their children. Thus, the clan system in Somalia is a<br />
discrimina<strong>to</strong>ry system <strong>and</strong> is therefore detrimental <strong>to</strong> gender equality.<br />
In the clan system, men are the decision-makers. <strong>The</strong>y are also the lead -<br />
ers <strong>and</strong> spokesmen <strong>of</strong> their clans. Somali men hold titles such as Ugan,<br />
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