Political Settlement in Somaliland
Thus research aims to analyse the different roles that women and men play in determining a given settlement
Overview
Recent research recognises the importance of political settlements -on-going, adaptable political processes- in determining the equitability of development and the level of stability in societies.
However, little research on political settlements analyses the different roles that women and men play in determining a given settlement.
Political settlements themselves frequently and systemically exclude women, despite the fact that they are the majority in post-conflict situations, and high levels of gender inequality and violence against women and girls (VAWG) make local instability more likely.
It is thus critical that policy makers understand both specific settlements and their gender dimensions, so that development interventions can be designed in a way that works within and on them to enhance equitable and consequently more sustainable development. This would reduce the risks and impact of violence and instability, increasing the effectiveness of interventions in fragile states.
This project focuses on Somaliland as an excellent case for analysis of power relationships between formal and informal actors in a relatively stable environment, but with strong applicability across a wider area: the Somali Horn of Africa, and with insights that are also useful elsewhere.
The Development Planning Unit at University College London and Progressio UK jointly leads this research.
The research is funded by the ESRC/DFID Research Grant ES/M009041/1
For more information about the project:
Project Team
- Dr Michael Walls
- Marie-Luise Schueller
- Amina-Bahja Ekman
- Kinzi Kowden
- Suad Abdi
- Haroon Ahmed Yusuf
- Amina Milgo Warsame
- Omer Qalonbi
Outputs
Publications and reports:
Political Settlement in Somaliland: A gendered perspective
Report by International Observers on the 2016 Voter Registration Process in Somaliland
- Key Stakeholder Workshop, Hargeysa 2015.08.09
Latest
The Hargeysa based research team have conducted around 80 interviews and focus group discussions since September 2015. Field work and research has been carried out in the cities of Hargeysa, Borama, Burao, Laas Caanod and Erigavo. The entire research team is currently working on translating and analysing the collected data.
Article by Dr. Michael Walls, Principal Investigator on Africa Research Institute website.
Sool Region: sovereign ambiguity vs a geopolitical system of nation-states?
- Dr. Michael Walls, Principal Investigator, reflects on the role of politics and power in political settlement
Power and Politics: A reflection on political settlement
- Malou Schueller, Co-investigator, shares her experience from the team's recent field trip to Somaliland
Only the sky is the limit - Reflections on research opportunities and limitations, Part 1
Only the sky is the limit - Reflections on research opportunities and limitations, Part 2
Further Information:
First progress report (PDF):
Workshop notes (PDF):
Contact
For further information or other inquires about the research please contact the team at: a.ekman@ucl.ac.uk