As it recovers from two decades of civil-war and recent famine, Somalia faces many economic challenges. External investment is low, underemployment and unemployment are high, and the economy is struggling to gain stability. The prevailing conflict affected women and men differently. Economically, Somali women face long-standing inequalities in the distribution of resources placing them at a disadvantaged position relative to men in their capability to participate in, contribute to and benefit from the broader processes of development.

As workers, entrepreneurs and service providers Somali women contribute to social and economic development of the country. Yet their contributions and priorities have been largely overlooked. Somali women face higher levels of unemployment than men in the formal sectors of the economy and have lower levels of productivity earning less than men for work of equal value. Somali
women are poorly represented in public and corporate decision-making.

Women‘s economic empowerment must not be examined in a vacuum. To fully assess the opportunities and obstacles that exist, the intersection of political,
social, cultural and environmental conditions must be analysed alongside traditional economic indicators. Gender equality in the distribution of economic and financial resources has positive multiplier effects for a range of key development goals, including poverty reduction and the welfare of children. This is applicable in the case of Somalia.

David Akopyan
Deputy Country Director, Programmes