By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Somalia, Aug. 2, 2026 – Somalia's Ministry of Family and Human Rights Development on Saturday urged political parties contesting elections in Galmudug to ensure women account for at least 30% of their candidates, saying the target is a constitutional right and a long-standing national commitment.
The appeal was made in a statement posted on the ministry's official social media platforms by Family Minister Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, who said women's participation in politics and decision-making was both a constitutional right and a national responsibility.
The ministry called on all political parties participating in elections for local councils and the Galmudug House of Representatives to respect the minimum 30% quota for women when nominating candidates. It also urged Galmudug's electoral authorities to closely monitor compliance throughout the election process.
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Official figures show that 1,273 candidates are contesting seats in Galmudug's local councils and regional parliament, with only 254 women candidates, representing about 20% of the total and falling short of the national target.
The ministry said the 30% quota remains a long-standing national commitment aimed at promoting inclusive governance and ensuring women are adequately represented in political institutions.
The appeal comes as Galmudug continues its electoral process, with women's representation expected to be a key measure of the inclusiveness of the vote. Somalia has repeatedly pledged to achieve the 30% target for women in elected bodies, although previous federal and regional elections have consistently fallen below that threshold.