Gender based violence remain prevalent in Somalia. Three women were killed in Somalia since January 2024 in what police say were marriage disputes. The killings occurred in Mogadishu, the Lower Shabelle region and the Qoryooley district. One woman was stabbed, a second shot and a third set afire while pregnant, all allegedly at the hands of their husbands.
Sayid Ali set his wife on fire in February 2024, triggering public outrage. Lul Abdiasis, the mother of six, succumbed to injuries from the attack. Lul, a pregnant mother of six, was burnt by her husband early February 2024. Somalia has been described as one of the most gender unequal countries in the world. Women are facing many challenges … among them are lack of support, poverty, force marriage and domestic violence. They do not get protection and support after incidents. The situation is worsened by the absence of strong legal frameworks to deter attacks. Family members are concerning that the perpetrator Said Ali will be set free
and resolve the issue by offering the victims family cash to compensate the death of their daughter, because they are very poor. They are also the minority tribe which happens very often. The Somalia federal government should continue to ensure approval and the implementation of policies and laws that prevent and mitigate the risks of gender-based violence. Somalia criminal Justice and Corrections Programme (JJCP), which is funded by the European Union, implemented by UNDP, UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), and UNODC should hold accountable to Somalia federal government’s luck of justice for the victims. We strongly condemn the heinous acts against these innocent women in Somalia.
Osman Ahmed (Sade)