GAROWE (Baraarug) – The 2023 local government elections in Puntland saw a major wave of participation from women and young people, who made up most of the registered voters.
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.