May 11, 2019 Journal article Open Access

FACTORS INFLUENCING WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS AT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ELECTIONS IN PUNTLAND STATE OF SOMALIA

MOHAMED AHMED MOHAMED (BURTINLE); Mohamed Said Samantar

Abstract

The main objective of the study is to investigate the factors influencing women's participation in politics at federal, state and local council elections in the Puntland State of Somalia. The study was guided by the following objectives; the first was examining the influence of economic factors on women"s participation in politics in the Puntland State of Somalia. Secondly, to establish how socio-cultural factors, influence women's participation in the political process in the Puntland State of Somalia, and the last objective was to assess the influence of clan-based political system for women's participation in politics in the Puntland State of Somalia. This study was conducted through analytical survey design by using both quantitative and qualitative research methods with two-parts: A questionnaire and key informant interviews (KIIs) for collecting data from selected respondents. The study utilized snowball and purposive sampling to select a target population size of (50). The study utilized frequencies and percentages; tables were used in the presentation of data. In addition to that, data collection was analyzed using themes and explanations while comparing the findings with the literature review part of the study. The researcher found that, women did not get major consideration in political participation in Somalia whether federal, state level as well as in local councils. 62% of the respondents stated that the availability of economic resources is a major determinant in the participation of women in politics. While 87 % of the respondents stated that the federal level is the most challenged one to compare two other levels of state and local councils, because the financial requirement on federal level is more than the two other levels. Even though women have common challenges towards financial burden women candidates at federal are not supported by their clans and other political leaders unlike their male counterparts who receive financial backing to run their campaigning. The study also found the existence of persistent patriarchy with 95% of respondents believing that traditional leaders are influencing in women"s political life generally and particularly in avoiding women"s participation at all levels three of elections or nominations positions simply due to the commonly held perception that woman cannot represent the clan. The study also found a strong correlation between education and women's participation in local councils. The researcher recommends that the society or community should be encouraged to change their negative attitudes on Women"s political participation. Thus, we should engage more women in political positions. Men need to realize women"s needs for political power and change the way they look at women and the government should embark on activities which support women"s political Initiatives.