Celebrations for International Women’s in the South West State were presided over by the Interim South West Administration President H.E Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan in the region’s administrative town of Baidoa. ISWA President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan urged women to continue consolidating peace in the Southwest region and champion efforts for the realization of gender parity. The President encouraged the community to embrace women. “Congratulations to all women. I congratulate Somali women especially women of ISWA and Baidoa. We pray to God to make protect us until next year’s 8^th of March. We hope to usher in next year with victory against Al-Shabaab. We want Al-Shabaab to be a thing of the past.”

Amelie Runesson spoke on the behalf of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). “On behalf of the UN, I want to thank everyone who made this event possible. This is a day of sisterhood, joy and hope. It is a feeling you get when entering into this room. This is an important day, of course for all of us women, but also for the development of human kind. We as women are 50 per cent of the population. So when women are disrespected, humiliated or exploited, 50 per cent of the population is suffering,”

Amelie also stressed the importance of encouraging women to participate in the 2016 elections. She described women’s participation in politics and the security sections as crucial, adding that it guaranteed a better future for Somalia.

The ISWA Human Rights and Family Affairs Deputy Minister Binti Ibrahim Ali congratulated women for their continued contribution towards the social, economic and political development of the region. “This day is important to us. It is the only day we have in the whole of the 12 months. We should honor it by celebrating it. I send my heartfelt congratulations to all mothers especially ISWA mothers. Somali women are the bedrock of their societies. Women advocate for peace and reconciliation. They are involved in productivity and they are the keepers of our homes,” noted Binti.

Celebrations in Kismayo were presided over by senior officials from the Interim Jubbaland Administration (IJA) and representatives from the United Nations. IJA Minister for Women Affairs, Ms. Qamar Khamar Haji Sheikh pointed out the challenges facing women, ranging from high illiteracy levels and poverty.

“Somali women should be empowered at every level and our men should give us support,” she stressed. The minister welcomed the 30 per cent gender rule for women. UNSOM political officer, Ms. Michiko Suzuki, urged women to be more involved in the affairs of the country.