Yet, this high turnout didn’t translate into political power.

The elections resulted in very few women and youth candidates actually winning seats.

This stark disparity is a wake-up call about the gap between voter engagement and political representation in the state.

At a recent Baraarug Forum, community leaders, politicians, and civil society groups came together to address this issue head-on.

Participants, including members of the media, non-state actors, women’s groups, youth leaders, and representatives from internally displaced persons (IDPs) and people with disabilities, discussed how this major setback can be turned into a catalyst for change.

The forum explored strategies to pave the way for a more inclusive future where both women and young people have a stronger voice in government.

The post What We Learned from Puntland’s Elections appeared first on Kaab TV.