HARGEISA, (Somalilandpress) — Fatima Saeed is a women’s rights activist and a humanitarian worker who is currently based in Hargeisa, the capital city of Somaliland. She has lived and worked in the United Kingdom since childhood, where she had played a major part in advocating for the black women’s rights in the country.
During her stay in Somaliland, Mrs. Fatima took part of the peace and democracy process in the country and played critical role in the empowerment of Somaliland women for better and brighter future.
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For the first time, Fatima spoke to Somalilandpress about the issues women in Somaliland face as well as their achievements and the future prospects.
Mrs. Fatima believes that although a lot have been achieved in the last 19 years, there is still a lot more to be done.
It is also worth noting, for the first time, women managed to secure two seats at the parliament and are holding a number of ministerial positions in the government. She called on the government to protect women and also to take a leading role in advancing women’s rights rather than relaying on NGO’s and other institutions.
Listen to Fatima: [audio:fatima.mp3]
Somalilandpress, 15 March 2010
Faadumo Siciid inspires me for real. She is the best, the most honest and hard working person in Somaliland.
Thank you somalilandpress for taking the interview. I can see she is raising important issues there.
This is for all the young girls and ladies who doubted Somaliland and thought it's not a society for you. You heard Fatima but it's also worth noting that most problems in our society are actually ones imposed on society by women themselves – mothers on daughters or mothers influencing sons.
We Somali men do not discriminate against women however its the mothers that influence us and even decide which woman you can marry and which one you cant. The fathers hardly care who you marry or have a say in such issues.
Women also tell their daughters not to study but to help them with the house hold which is cultural practices.
So girls and women of Somaliland, please sit down together and fix your selves up — we are always with you.
Layla,
If it is true what you have just said. This woman should not represent and pretend that she is working on the welfare and progress of Somaliand women. I do not know her, but her speach is convincing and well thought one. however, i always want and dream one day we will share every opportunity arises of our country with our fellow men. i think its fair to say Human-beings are born equal, whether they are women or men, only society created division, who is who, who can do what and so on.
I am not aware of who she is but she seems to be a well educated woman that knows what she is speaking about. Therefore before we begin to judge her, first let us find out more about who she is.
Dear Somalilandpress repoter, your language is very poor.
plz increase your speaking….
Ayan, I'm sure your Somali is poor too.
At least he did the interview we can all understand his questions.
fuaad waa dhalad somaliland oo udhashay magaalada hargeysa