08/03/2026
Today, as we mark International Women’s Day, we join millions of people around the world in celebrating the achievements, resilience, and leadership of women. It is a day to reflect on the progress made, but also a moment to reaffirm our commitment to the work that still lies ahead.
For us at the Women Advisory Office of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland, this year’s International Women’s Day carries a particularly special significance.
This year marks an important step forward in institutionalizing the voices, perspectives, and priorities of women within our national legislature. The establishment of the Women Advisory Office represents a commitment by the House to ensure that women’s issues are not treated as peripheral concerns, but as an essential part of the legislative process.
Parliament is the heart of a democratic nation. It is where laws are debated, policies are shaped, and the direction of our society is determined. When women’s experiences and expertise are included in these discussions, our legislation becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more reflective of the realities of our people.
International Women’s Day reminds us that gender equality is not only a social aspiration; it is a democratic necessity. Societies thrive when women participate fully in political, economic, and social life. The progress of a nation cannot be separated from the progress of its women.
The Women Advisory Office was created to help translate this principle into action. Our role is to support the House of Representatives in integrating gender perspectives into legislation, strengthening dialogue with women’s organizations, and ensuring that the concerns of women and girls are heard within the parliamentary process.
Today, also, provides us with an opportunity to look ahead. Through initiatives such as the Parliament Open Day for Women, we aim to create greater engagement between the House and the women of Somaliland. Our goal is to open the doors of this institution, to listen, to learn, and to ensure that the voices of women across our nation contribute to shaping the policies that affect their lives.
International Women’s Day is also about inspiration. It is about encouraging young women and girls to see leadership, public service, and political participation as paths open to them. The future of our nation will be shaped by the talents and ambitions of the next generation, and it is our responsibility to ensure that those opportunities are accessible to all.
As we celebrate today, let us remember that progress is achieved not only through words but through sustained commitment and collective effort. Advancing the rights, opportunities, and participation of women requires collaboration; between institutions, civil society, and communities.
The Women Advisory Office stands ready to play its part in this journey, working with the House of Representatives and with partners across Somaliland to strengthen the role of women in our democracy.
On this International Women’s Day, let us reaffirm a simple but powerful truth: when women advance, our nation advances.
Thank you.
By Salma A. Sheikh
Lead Advisor
Women Advisory Office
House of Representatives
