Peace, Women and Somalia in a Drought of Perceived Equality

My friend and I spoke about the situation in Somalia. Whilst on the road I don’t listen to the news. I suggested to her to make waterproof water bags and prayer beads (her friend likes making them) to give them support. She felt she couldn’t do much but just imagine if everyone did something. Moreover, I was considering the large helicopters called ‘Elvis’ we use in Australia to drop water. Why couldn’t they be sent to Africa and water airlifted in to ensure short term water supplies. These are just a few ideas.

After our conversation I thought I’d have a look into it. My first thought is all the water bottles we drink from and throw away. Imagine if we could work as a global community, rather than nation states serving the notion of self interest. Moreover, the environment which is global not national is affected across the world by each of our actions. The natural world is interconnected. So if humanity can find this interconnection between humans, maybe solutions can be found.

According to the ABC the drought threatens 10 million. When I look behind the issues it is not hard to see that what weakened Somalia has been the conflict between clans and the inequality of women with men. This type of thinking is still predominant around the world, yet until men find equality with women and within themselves, the world will remain in situations that are imbalanced or caught in spirals of conflict. The Bahai have a very wise image of men and women representing the two wings of a bird, if one wing is damaged the bird cannot fly. I see the same scenario for humanity until it realises we are all here to live our lives without suppression.

Why is the equality of women an imperative? Firstly because it is true they are equal. Secondly they have a predispostion towards emotional intelligence which provides them with insights into conflict and problems. This means they are able to sense the emotional issues that lay beneath the surface and can be excellent problem solvers. As primary carers of the next generation, these gifts ensure the emotional and physical safety of children and when utilised in harmony with males, wider perspectives open up within a community vision. When women are included at the table as equals they will show men what they can’t see. There are aspects of men that women don’t see and their problem solving tends to be structural in design. Together, as equals, they can see the big picture. From a spiritual perspective the only goal of life on earth is to live in peace with each other. This is not a edict of domination, it is based on mutual respect, empathy for others, love in the family, happiness and the most important, to live in freedom.

The tragedy in the Horn of Africa is the drought, yet the backdrop to this drought is the conflict which has kept the country food aid dependent, this is the deeper tragedy not seen internationally. Until the world establishes Conflict Resolution as an arm of the United Nations where the emphasis is on helping countries to resolve conflict so that they can return to self sufficiency, they will remain in hopeless cycles. I think the notion of the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ must form the basis of international interventions. That we all have to intervene when situations arise that are violent and undermining the survival support systems of a country. The arms industry drains already impoverished budgets and severely weakens social infrastructure. It sets up a life of misery where people are fleeing fear of attack and now fear of death. Can you imagine the heartache for parents watching their children and family members die. Imagine it was you.

I am sure there is much I do not understand, as my impressions are simply impressions. The true reality I have no experience with as I’ve never been hungry or under threat of attack.

http://www.peacedirect.org/peacebuilders/past-projects/somalia/?gclid=CK-B_PWd5KoCFaMF4godKin47A

Here is a story by one Somali woman.

Asha’s story

My country, Somalia, has been engulfed in civil war for the past 18 years. This war was clan-based, and my husband and I are from two different clans. My husband’s clan saw me as a traitor; my clan of birth as an outsider. This moment made me realise that war has nothing to offer women except for death, destruction and devastation. – Asha

In 2000 Asha declared “my only clan is womanhood” and founded the women-only Sixth Clan in response to the five traditional male-dominated Somali clans. Asha’s organisation, Save Somali Women and Children (SSWC) put pressure on clan elders, religious leaders, Islamic scholars and politicians to put women at the negotiating table as equal partners and decision-makers. Asha fought for women to have a voice, but with the constant threat of violence hanging over her. She’s now based in Kenya for her own safety.

Somalia has had no effective government since 1991. Years of fighting between rival warlords, disease and famine have left over a million dead and arguably Africa’s worst humanitarian crisis: a third of the population is dependent on food aid.

How SSWC works

Founded in 1991, SSWC helps women overcome violence and poverty and gives them a voice in the future of their own country.
Key Achievements

* Secured a sixth of seats for women in the Transitional Federal Parliament
* Helped reconcile the President and Prime Minister in 2006
* Got rid of many roadblocks simply by getting food supplied to the young men which manned them
* Took part in high-level peace negotiations
* Continued education programmes for girls in Somalia

Asha Hagi has dedicated her life to gaining a better and more peaceful future for her war-torn country, Somalia. At great personal risk, she has fought for women to have a voice in the decisions that affect them. She has mobilised women in the cause of peace across clan and political divides … Women in Somalia are in a much stronger position today because of her courage, persistence and compassion. – The citation for Asha’s Right Livelihood Award 2008

Perhaps we can inspire people to find peace together and to see the Somali’s as our own family. Just imagine how hard we would try. My friend said to me, I put all my energy into my son who is a heroin addict, think of all the children dying, my son is only one person. She said it hit her like a revelation. She felt the desire to help the people of Somalia. I was very happy to hear her say this and now she will take action.

Perhaps you will too, if your heart is calling you.