GEOGRAPHY

Somali Republic, formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic, is located on the Horn of Africa in East Africa. It is bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya on its southwest, the Gulf of Aden with Yemen on its north, the Indian Ocean at its east and Ethiopia to the west. Somalia gained its independence from Italy on 1 July 1960. On the same day, it united with British Somaliland. In 2007, the population was estimatd at 9,118,773.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
“Women represent 7.8% in politics.”
Somalia has had no effective national government since 1991, though there is an internationally recognised government in Mogadishu and Baidoa. This government, called the Transitional Federal Government, controls only Southern Somalia and is not recognised by most Somalis. In the northwest, there is the breakaway republic of Somaliland, which declared its independence in 1991. In 2002, Southwestern Somalia, comprising Bay, Bakool, Jubbada Dhexe (Middle Juba), Gedi, Shabeellaha Hoose (Lower Shabele) and Jubbada Hoose (Lower Juba) regions of Somalia declared itself autonomous. However, at the time of its declaration, the Rahanweyn Resistance Army, established in 1995, was in full control of Bay and Bakool and parts of Gedo and Jubbada Dhexe regions only. This temporary secession was reasserted in 2002, leading to de facto autonomy of Southwestern Somalia
EASSI members in Somalia are IIDA,Women’s Development Organisation and Coalition of Grassroots Organisations Women Organisations (COGWO).
IIDA is a women’s organisaton formed in 1991 by a group of Somali women who had become unsatisfied with how the women’s role and their rights, both in social, political life, have been deprived over the years especially during the Siad Barre regime. Since its creation IIDA has embarked on the Fight against FGM through carrying out awareness campaigns and creating thematic drama plays to enlighten people on the dangers of FGM.
The theme being “HAJARJARIN JIRKA GABADHAADA HANA JARRINBIN JIRITAANKEEDA” ( Don’t severe the body of your daughter impairing her existence was the one of the year 2004. IIDA is also involved in programmes on peace-building and economic empowerment for women. For more information, contact iida@globalsom.com.

COGWO is a Network, with 20 women organizations and 11 women individuals as members. It was formally established in 1996. Member organizations operate in five regions; Benadir, middle Shebella, Lower Shebella, Hiran and Galgaduud. Their vision is empowered Somali women socially, economically and politically, living in an environment free of violence. For more information, contact cogwo@globalsom.com