The first female Deputy Prime Minister is a step in the right direction.

 

By Omar Ibrahim Hussein (PhD)

A new Federal government was formed which included the first female Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister. This move angered some and pleased others. But the day rightly belonged to those who supported Fozia’s nomination and rightly there was a lot of jubilation on that momentous day. A mother and a woman at the top echelon of Government would be a voice of moderation; a motherly voice; a caring voice; a voice of reason; a voice different from the familiar warmongering men’s voices. It is a dream comes true that one day our women will occupy the higher Offices of the State.  It was a dream that one day the persons who occupy the top Offices of the State will be chosen not by their gender but by the content of their character. I don’t know Fozia from a personal level, but I am aware of her public achievements and initiatives. Her tireless work in Somaliland speaks volumes for itself. From that perspective, I am convinced that Fozia’s appointment will be an asset to jump start a government that faces formidable change. I have no doubt also that she will fight as she always does, for the justice stability and the rule of law of our country and will be a motherly voice in a Council of men. We pin a lot of hope on that nomination and we see it as an end of an era and the beginning of another one where women will be taken more seriously. For so long they were oppressed and lived in the shadow of men. This nomination will be an eye opener for many of our women and hopefully soon some will follow suit. They will not be contented to be both bread winners and housekeepers and to be away from the glamour of power and government. Our women have a lot to contribute in any capacity as they have done in their restricted domain of work. Fozia has an indomitable character; when she was denied to serve Somaliland by the Party she formed; she did not surrender nor were her aspirations watered down by the set back. She has other plans; to serve her people yet in another capacity and in a different place. She has allegiance to both Somaliland and Somalia as she is a daughter of Somaliland and a mother of Somalia; the two are mutually inclusive. So for her unlike many, Somaliland and Somalia will ever remain one and the same. Restricting her allegiance to one or the other is farce and foolish. Those who restrict Fozia’s nationality to Somaliland only and who see her nomination as a betrayal have definitely a blurred vision and should see an eye doctor as soon as possible.  In addition to that, Fozia represents the majority of the population who are females. The combination of those three attributes might have played a significant role in her nomination. In addition to those traits Fozia has good political sense; a combination of charisma and initiative. The Prime Minister was wise enough to understand that. The nomination by any stretch of imagination is only a modest beginning and should be vigorously perused if Somalia is to stand firmly on its feet and be spared to be a failed State.. Somalia can only do that if it uses all its human resources wisely and fairly. The position of Deputy Prime Minister is by itself a toothless position as it is only the shadow of the PM. It all depends on how much power and responsibility the PM is willing to give. All we hope is, the position is not as barren as the Vice Presidential position in Somaliland. However the Foreign Minister’s portfolio is powerful and we expect as many women Ambassadors as men, for we want to create a society based on justice and fairness. Although the position of Deputy Prime Ministership sounds better, the more powerful position in the government is assigned to another woman. The Ministry of Education, Health, Labor, Sport and Youth goes to Drs. Qasim. It is a very difficult portfolio, but as tough as our women are, I have no doubt in my mind that she will pass the challenge with a flying color. I conclude and concur with what Bashir Goth said in his article about the nomination with a minor alteration, “That is a small step for Fozia, a giant leap for women in Somalia”.

With that note I ask the Parliament to give the new government the support it deserves.