Your
excellency Prime Minister Roble, Honorable Minister for Women and Human Rights
Development Hanifa, SRSG Swan, Bob Rae, Ambassadors.
We thank
the Peacebuilding Commission for inviting us to this important meeting and our
Somali partners for presenting their priorities, progress and challenges in
peacebuilding and providing us with the opportunity to discuss these.
As noted
in the UNSCR 2520, only genuine political progress can bring a sustainable
solution to Somalia’s instability and Somalia must carry the main
responsibility of its own security.
Against
that background, we welcome and support the development of the NDP9, the
National Reconciliation Framework, the Somali Women’s Charter and similar
policy documents. They signal a strong dedication to the keys aspects of
inclusivity, representation and reconciliation that are essential for political
progress and peacebuilding.
It is
indeed good news that Somalia has requested to re-engage with the PBC. It is
yet another important step forward in Somalia’s successful re-engagement with
the international community and organisations, which we have also witnessed in
relation to IFIs and debt relief, and now peacebuilding.
We look
forward to following Somalia’s engagement with the PBC, which along with the
PBF can play an important role with their
expertise and guidance.
Allow me
to turn to the important topic of women’s rights.
Denmark
has been a partner to the Somali Ministry for Women and Human Rights
Development for several years, and we have seen impressive results. To mention
but a few: Somalia starting to reengage with international treaty bodies;
drafting key legislation improving the rights of women and children and last but
not least drafting the Somali Women’s Charter and the Somali National Action
Plan for Women, Peace and Security.
Meanwhile,
we are seeing some worrying trends that challenge such progress.
First, the
introduction of the sexual intercourse bill seeking to replace the cabinet
approved sexual offences bill. This new bill would legalise child and forced
marriage and represents a major set-back for Somali women and girls – and for
Somalia’s reengagement with the international community.
Second, it
is in no way certain that the ambitious target of 30 pct. women will be
achieved at the upcoming elections. The nomination of electoral committees was
a disappointing preview with very few women nominated. If women are to be
guaranteed meaningful and equal participation in all spheres of political,
economic and social life, their rights must be equal to the rights of men.
Their participation must be ensured.
Denmark is
looking forward to continuing these discussions and to follow peacebuilding
progress in Somalia and the work of the PBC in this regard.
Thank you.