UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed addresses the meeting (Photo: VNA) Minister Counsellor NguyenPhuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, madethe call at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s meeting on September28 on the situation in Somalia, focusing on the role that women play in thecountry’s political process.
Tra lauded arecent visit to Somali by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed to promotethe role of women in the country.
The Vietnamese representative held that amid various challengesfacing the African country, the visit was of significance in creatingfavourable conditions for the upcoming election as well as women’s involvementin this process.
Tra condemned violent acts, sexual violence and attackstargeting civilians, especially women and children, including the terroristattack on September 25, stressing the need to bring the culprits to light.
Vietnam also called on international partners to increase assistanceto the Somalian Government in mitigating socio-economic impacts caused by locustplague, floods, drought and the COVID-19 pandemic, while assisting women-leddevelopment projects in Somalia.
Briefing participants on pervasive sexual and gender-basedviolence, especially against women and girls in Somalia, UN DeputySecretary-General Amina Mohammed urged relevant parties to strengthen measuresto protect women.
Meanwhile, Shukria Dini, Co-Founder and Executive Directorof the Somali Women’s Studies Centre, underlined the role that women have playedin maintaining peace and security in Somalia.
She proposed the UNSC to raise its voice to the Somalian Government on ensuringthe ratio of women in political activities, as well as measures to protectwomen during the election process and increase women empowerment in politicaland socio-economic activities.
The UNSC members recognised the Somalian Government’sefforts and suggested that the government and all stakeholders in Somalia fullyimplement reached agreements, including ensuring 30 percent of seats for womenin its parliament.
Some countries called for strict implementation of regulations on gender equalityand women empowerment and creating optimal conditions for women to engage in thepolicy-making process. They also condemned violence against civilians,especially women and children./.
VNA
