ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This Briefing Paper was prepared by Yousuf Ahmed Abid, the Somali Region Programme Coordinator for the SIHA Network.
The paper explores the structural backlash against the women’s rights movement in Somaliland, highlighting key incidents that reflect the increasingly challenging environment for women’s participation in public and political life. It concludes with key recommendations for Somaliland’s new government, civil society organizations, and development partners to address this backlash and enhance the protection and fulfillment of women’s rights.
Sincere gratitude is extended to the SIHA Regional Team, including Hala Al Karib, Regional Director; Faizat Badmus-Busari, Regional Programme Manager; Sandra Nassali, Regional Advocacy and Communications Coordinator; and Ramatoulie Jallow, Regional Research and Advocacy Officer, for their valuable contributions and guidance throughout the process.
This paper should be cited as follows:
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network, “Is the Democratic Dream Still Possible? Navigating the Growing Backlash Against Women’s Rights in Somaliland,” 2025.
INTRODUCTION
For the past three decades, Somaliland has experienced relative peace and stability, in contrast to Somalia, which has been plagued by conflict, war, and political unrest. Operating a multi-party electoral system for the past 22 years, Somaliland has ensured that every citizen has the right to vote. Throughout this period, women have played an important role in the Country’s development, contributing to reconciliation processes in the early 1990s, peacebuilding efforts, and the democratization journey. However, despite their contributions, women remain marginalized by the patriarchal structures that dominate Somaliland society. The women’s rights movement encountered persistent backlash, primarily driven by religious fundamentalism and the misinterpretation of Islamic Sharia, which has been used to justify the subordination of women.
Though Somaliland lacks international recognition as a de jure state, it has voluntarily adopted international human rights treaties and has committed itself to respecting customary international law1. Furthermore, the country has established a progressive Constitution aligned with international human rights standards. However, translating these commitments into practice remains a significant challenge, especially regarding women’s rights. While the Constitution guarantees fundamental rights for women, the enforcement of these rights is lacking, often hindered by deeply rooted cultural and religious norms
The women’s rights movement continues to face significant institutional and societal resistance. Religious interpretations are frequently manipulated to suppress women’s rights, creating an environment where activism is viewed as an attack on traditional values. This backlash has hindered progress, making it difficult for women to achieve gender parity in governance, access to justice, and protection from gender-based violence. Despite these obstacles, women’s rights activists in Somaliland remain resilient, continuing their fight for equality and justice in a system resistant to change.
Over the past two years, a disturbing trend has emerged where women leaders, activists, journalists, and artists have been subjected to harassment, detention, and violence for voicing their demands for equality and inclusive governance.
This briefing paper examines structural backlash against the women’s rights movement in Somaliland, underscoring key incidents that reflect a deteriorating environment for women’s participation in public and political life. It concludes with key recommendations for Somaliland’s new government, civil society organizations and development partners in curbing this backlash and strengthening the protection and fulfilment of women’s rights.
Ahmed was one of a growing group of female religious teachers who sought more equitable interpretations of Sharia. However, their efforts faced intense opposition from religious and political authorities, including the Parliamentary Committee of Religious Affairs, which aligned with conservative factions of society. This committee publicly demanded that female religious teachers apologize for their progressive views, signaling a concerted effort to suppress interpretations of religious teachings that empower women.
What stands out in this situation is the double standard. While female religious leaders are pressured to apologize for their views, male religious leaders who use doctrinal justifications to marginalize women have not been held to the same level of accountability. Male sheikhs have never been publicly called to apologize for their views or actions that harm women. This pattern of selective accountability underscores the challenges faced by the women’s rights movement in Somaliland, where attempts to advance gender equality are met with strong resistance from both religious and political institutions.
2) CONTRADICTIONS BETWEEN SOMALILAND’S CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS AND THE BACKLASH AGAINST WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Backlash against the women’s rights movement in Somaliland starkly contradicts the fundamental protections enshrined in the Somaliland Constitution, particularly on women’s rights and civil liberties. Adopted in 2001, The Constitution of Somaliland contains several provisions that explicitly guarantee equality, non-discrimination, and the protection of individual freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to fair trial. However, the detention and harassment of female activists, journalists, and political figures over the past two years signifies a gross violation of these constitutional rights. For example, the detention of female journalists like Busharo Banday and activists such as Sahra Harun, as well as the arbitrary arrest of 23 women for peacefully protesting election delays in August 2022, directly infringes on their constitutional right to freedom of expression (Article 32) and the right to peaceful assembly (Article 25).
The Somaliland Constitution also guarantees equality before the law (Article 8), stipulating that all citizens, regardless of gender, are entitled to equal protection and rights. However, the treatment of women, particularly those who challenge the political status quo, indicates a clear violation of this principle. Women like Ugbad
Mohamud Abdi, who was arrested for allegedly violating morality standards, face gender-based discrimination that has no legal basis. The fact that such arrests are carried out under dubious justifications, like clothing, and without proper legal frameworks, illustrates the misuse of state power to suppress women’s political and social participation. The Constitution’s commitment to equality and justice is further undermined when these women are denied due process, such as family visitation rights, and are detained for extended periods without formal prosecution.
Article 36 of the Constitution guarantees the protection of women’s rights under Somaliland law, stating that women should be safeguarded from oppression and have full participation in public life. Therefore, by forcing Muna Ahmed to apologize for challenging traditional gender roles and advocating for women’s financial security in marriage, authorities directly contradicted this provision. Additionally, the silencing of female religious teachers, while their male counterparts are free to continue reinforcing patriarchal norms, exposes a clear violation of women’s rights which are enshrined the Constitution.
Furthermore, backlash against the women’s rights movement further infringes on Somaliland’s obligations under international human rights treaties, which Somaliland voluntarily adopted under Article 10 of its Constitution, as will be explored in greater detail below. The ongoing harassment, violence, and arbitrary detention of women contradicts international human rights standards, which Somaliland has pledged to respect. This failure to align state actions with constitutional and international legal standards creates an environment of impunity where women’s rights are systematically suppressed, contributing to the broader marginalization of women in public life. Somaliland’s disregard for both its constitutional commitments and international obligations not only infringes on women’s rights but also undermines the legal foundations upon which the country’s democratic institutions are built.
3) SOMALILAND’S DEPARTURE FROM INTERNATIONAL LEGAL STANDARDS ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS
The current state of women’s rights in Somaliland reflects a disturbing departure from international legal standards. Both the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, (CEDAW and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol) emphasize the importance of protecting women from discrimination, violence, and suppression in political and social arenas. Somaliland’s failure to uphold these principles is evident in the increasing legal and societal restrictions placed on women’s rights activists and leaders. The international community, through its commitment to these treaties, must continue to pressure Somaliland to bring its policies and practices in line with international law, ensuring that women can participate fully and equally in public life without fear of harassment or repression.
Although Somaliland is not officially recognized as a state and has not ratified CEDAW or the Maputo Protocol, its government has expressed a commitment to adhere to international norms, including customary international law, which underscores the prohibition against gender-based discrimination. The incidents of harassment, detention, and violence against female activists, journalists, and politicians highlights the gap between Somaliland’s commitments and its actual practices.
CEDAW, often referred to as the International Bill of Women’s Rights, obligates state parties to take measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all areas of life. Article 7 of CEDAW, requires states to ensure that women have equal rights to participate in public and political life, which includes running for office and expressing political opinions. The targeting of female journalists like Busharo Banday, who was detained in May 2023 without proper prosecution, directly contravenes these obligations. Similarly, the detention of over 23 women in August 2022 for peacefully protesting delays in presidential elections violates their right to political participation. The gender-discriminatory treatment they faced during and after detention reflects a broader pattern of exclusion and repression, which is incompatible with international standards for women’s rights
The Maputo Protocol further emphasizes the protection of women’s rights in political, social, and cultural domains. It mandates state parties to combat all forms of gender-based violence and to promote women’s participation in political processes. The failure of Somaliland authorities to investigate and prosecute incidents such as the abduction and torture of Sahra Harun in March 2023 illustrates a clear breach of these obligations. Furthermore, the detention of Ugbad Mohamud Abdi in April 2024,
Development Partners must:
7. Prioritize funding for capacity-building programs that strengthen the abilities of women’s rights defenders in Somaliland.
8. Leverage their diplomatic influence to hold the Somaliland government accountable for its commitments to international and regional human rights treaties in furthering women’s rights.