How mothers have helped in rebuilding Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - For the last three decades, Somalia has been in shambles due to inter-clan conflicts, political wrangles, and, or Al-Shabaab threat, something which makes life difficult or even challenging for all players in the war-torn country.

During such conflicts, women and children are the most affected, with a number of them facing displacement, rape, and even death, thus making them captives of such eventualities. Thousands have been displaced, raped, or even killed in Somalia.

With these challenges including the economic downturn, Somalia women have yet, strived to build the country under these challenging circumstances, not forgetting the COVID-19 pandemic, which has even made life unbearable across the world.

On Sunday, Mothers Day was celebrated across the world, to mark what many mothers go through during good and bad times. The UNFPA Somalia seized the opportunity to salute all mothers for their extraordinary contribution to the nation, including this difficult COVID-19 season.

"Even under normal conditions, mothers face expectations that often defy science and reality. But now, with the COVID-19 pandemic, mothers are under increasing economic pressures. They are struggling with access to health care, social support, and growing unpaid care responsibilities," the global body said.

"This Mother's day, we celebrate the extraordinary strength, resilience, and unconditional love that defines motherhood. We salute mothers around the world for shouldering the burden of the pandemic," it further noted.

Most of the international organizations in the country feel safe working with women, who are victims of prevailing circumstances, thus the urge and zeal to protect them from real or imaginary enemies.

In tribute to mothers, the organization added: "Mothers around the world are doing the impossible every day, but they shouldn't be expected to. Support our efforts to bring better healthcare to the most vulnerable mothers."

Within Mogadishu, the Somali capital, there is a monument in the Hawo Tako area which was first erected 29 years ago. The monument gives women in the country hope and a sense of belonging, showcasing their enormous contributions to the country.

The United Nations has often saluted Somali mothers for their significant contributions towards peacebuilding, reconciliation, and the promotion of gender equality in their country. Despite being victims of the war, mothers have been on the frontline in pushing for peace and stability in the country.

UNICEF noted that with women, the life-saving of children becomes easy at the time the country is struggling with internal conflicts, wars, and other challenges such as floods and drought. They, it adds, "are our biggest champions in these circumstances".

Former European Union Ambassador to Somalia, Ms. Veronique Lorenzo, has previously rooted for more women appointments in the Somali cabinet, a move she argues will both provide a platform for peace and stability besides helping in gender mainstreaming.

“In Somalia, they (women), are a major powerhouse and they are prominent in their different roles. But very often these achievements are not recognized,” Ms. Lorenzo once said.

“They are drivers of reconciliation. They are at the center of peace. They are at the center of the state and peacebuilding. But despite their increased economic role, they have remained largely excluded from decision-making structures.”

“We as international actors want to support you,” added the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, Mr. Michael Keating.

“If you carry on doing what you have done in the last one year, victory will be yours,” Keating told a gathering of women leaders, government officials, and the Somali public, who converged in Mogadishu to mark the day.

The humanitarian crisis facing Somalia as a result of biting drought was a concern of several speakers.

Ms. Batula Ahmed Gaballe, the deputy Chairperson of the Goodwill Ambassadors, a women’s lobby group that advocated for greater participation of women in politics, expressed concern about the debilitating drought.

“I call upon all of us to help in alleviating the suffering of our children and mothers, who are dying of hunger, while some of us eat three meals a day,” she pleaded.

GAROWE ONLINE