EU decries discrimination against Somalia's minority women

The European Union (EU) on Friday decried the high levels of discrimination among Somalia's minority women.

EU Ambassador to Somalia Michele Cervone d'Urso told a forum in Nairobi that the women face double discrimination, which has relegated them to the margins of society.

"The situation is even affecting peace building efforts in the country," d'Urso said during the launch of a report on the predicament facing Somalia's minority women.

Estimates indicate the Somalia's ethnic minorities account for between 15 and 20 percent of the country's population. He urged Somali federal and regional governments to recognize the problem.

"We are therefore urging state authorities to put in place affirmative action measures in order to build a more inclusive society," d'Urso said.

The EU envoy said women are vulnerable to abuse, discrimination and gender based violence which has affected their ability to access sustainable livelihood. He said Somali government has made progress, but it is yet to be felt by the women minorities at the grassroots level.

"They are often ignored in the decision-making process,"he said, adding that without effective intervention, the situation of the women is unlikely to improve in the near future.

Somali Ambassador to Kenya Mohamed Americo said Somalia's minority women are the backbone of the society. "A sustainable remedy to the situation is a change in the mindset of society," he said. Endi