In commemoration of Open Data Day; an annual celebration event held all over the world in the first week of March in every year, Hawa Feminist Coalition organized an online event on March 6, 2021 via Zoom with agenda of advancing the production, dissemination and openness of sex-disaggregated data in Somalia.

The event was held in online due to COVID-19 restrictions, participated by 19 participants from UN, International NGOs and Local NGOs as well as independent activists. The participants had interactive discussions covering the data gaps, weaknesses and the need to strengthen sex-disaggregated data in Somalia for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by 2030.  

Shared Experiences, Gaps And Ideas Related To Sex-disaggregated Data In Somalia

Ms. Linda Mohamed from Hawa Feminist Coalition and also chairing the meeting presents short presentation highlighting how data segregated by gender is vital to evaluate the measures taken to narrow the gender gap. Ms. Mohamed also highlights how availability of segregated data could help to end all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls in Somalia.

Mr. Abdikhayr Hussein from Bareedo Platform, a local NGO that promotes participatory democracy presents the importance of open data and that openness of sex-disaggregated data is prerequisite to achieving gender equality in Somalia.

Ms. Anab Ali from Ministry of Women Affairs shows the participants about how sex-disaggregated data is significant to measuring the gender gap in education, political empowerment, health and survival, and economic participation in Somalia.

After short presentations, participants shared the following experiences, concerns and ideas that are related to sex-disaggregated data:-

• Somalia is a country located on the horn of Africa, with a population of almost 14 million people. Although women and girls in Somalia consist of 50% of the country’s population, women and men are far from equal.
• The gender inequality in Somalia is exacerbated by poverty, social class and harmful practices that violate the rights of women and girls. Today, women in Somalia are susceptible to gender-based violence and sexual violence, an issue that is heightened in areas of conflict.
• The full adoption of sex-disaggregated data is less tapped in Somalia where gender equality is ranked fourth-lowest globally, maternal and infant mortality rates are also some of the highest in the world, and early marriage is prevalent.
• Humanitarian sector shows progress on disaggregation of data by gender although it is still needs further improvements.
• Major vital services or projects led by the government are yet to fully apply disaggregation of data by gender with less than 21% of government’s data shows some form of sex-disaggregation .
• Private sector shows limited adoption of disaggregation of data by gender and some even see this to be less noteworthy.
• There is incoherent collaboration between the government, private sector and civil society in adoption of disaggregation of data by gender.

Recommendations

In conclusion of the shared experiences, concerns and ideas that are related to sex-disaggregated data, participants suggest the following important recommendations in line with strengthening disaggregation  of data by gender in Somalia.

• Government, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders need to work together toward adoption of disaggregation  of data by gender effectively to address gender inequality that remained highest globally in Somalia.
• Partners and stakeholders engaged in gender equality or promotion of rights of women and girls should come up continues advocacy and follow up mechanisms to ensure successful take-up of sex-disaggregated data policies in government, private and civil society.
• The production and openness of sex-disaggregated data need to be encouraged in the occasions of commemoration of International Women’s Day and other related events.
• Particular forums, evens and talk shows should be organized to advocate, strengthen this matter among the different stakeholders and partners in Somalia.

This was an opportunity to show the benefits of open data and encourage the adoption of sex-disaggregated data policies in government, business and civil society.  We hope to keep the conversation going! 

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Further inquires, please contact:- Ms. Linda Said Mohamed Tell: +252 906 892740 Email: linda@femsom.org