Despite the high levels of education among Somaliland women in Secondary, Collages and University, The portions of educated has increased substantially in Somaliland and while percentage of females is estimated about 60% of the Somaliland population.

The undeniable roles of women are major self-employments services in Somaliland. In addition to that, Somaliland women are currently contributing major indigenous household’s economies.

Nagaad Umbrella Organization initiated considerable efforts to empower Somaliland women in different aspects.  It was part of Nagaad’s development infinitives to increase the representations of women in public offices and Somaliland National Councils which are extremely marginalized with a population of 3.5 million. Thus, Nagaad has commenced efforts increasing women’s rights in the Political participations in Somaliland. 

Hence, since its inceptions, Nagaad had emphasized gender mainstreaming activities that associated with specific National and International policy instruments, which compels Somaliland government to systematically improve gender equality principles in the Country. Nagaad Umbrella Organization has made tremendous efforts to propose a motion allowing quota for women in the Local Councils and national Councils, the Bill No. 20/01 referring unification of electoral law was passed by the House of Representatives middle of October 2008 and later rejected by the House of Elders Guurti, in 15^th May 2008. The HR did not return the bill to the Guurti and because as they were unable to get 2/3 votes for the return of the bill. Therefore, procedurally this bill becomes invalid according to the Constitution Article 77 and 78.

The proposed motion of the Bill was arriving to remove any formal and informal barriers opposing women’s political rights. It shall give women voting rights through quota in the Somaliland Local Councils and National Councils. In general, quotas for women represent a shift from one concept of equality to another and increases women’s participation in SPS. Therefore, the purpose that Nagaad hired the Local Consultant/ Facilitator was to engage the leading of 2 days workshop in according the below mentioned TOR.

The workshop objectives intended to increase Somaliland Women’s political participation in all electoral processes such as Local Government elections, and other national level elections.  Objectives include convincing all participants at for the realizations of the forefront of efforts to support women’s political participation in all Somaliland national Councils. Workshop was justifying the proposed quota under the Somaliland Constitution, particularly under Constitutional principles of “Equality and non-discrimination”.  Target Participants understood the importance of women to exercise equal rights of participation in the electoral positions of the government as well as nomination positions.