Somalia’s lower house of parliament has approved a long-delayed bill on rape and sexual offences by 132 votes to three, in a move aimed at strengthening protections for women, children and survivors of sexual violence.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Somalia’s lower house of parliament on Wednesday approved a long-delayed bill on rape and sexual misconduct, in a move the government said would strengthen protections for survivors of sexual violence, women and children.
The House of the People passed the legislation by 132 votes to three, with five lawmakers abstaining, parliamentary Speaker Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, known as Jaamac, announced.
The bill was submitted by the Ministry of Family Affairs and Human Rights Development and had remained before parliament for an extended period before securing approval.
The ministry’s minister, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, welcomed the vote, thanking the speaker and lawmakers for endorsing the draft legislation.
Speaking on behalf of her ministry and Somali women who have survived sexual abuse, Al-Makhzoumi described the approval as an important step towards protecting human dignity, strengthening public safety and safeguarding the rights of victims.
She said the legislation would help improve access to justice and reinforce protections for women, children and other vulnerable people.
The minister also praised the parliamentary committee responsible for human rights and women’s affairs, Somali religious scholars, civil society organisations and others who contributed to consultations, debate and revisions of the bill.
She said cooperation between government institutions and civil society was essential to developing laws that protect human rights and strengthen the country’s justice system.
The ministry would continue working to improve human rights protections and advance legislation aimed at ensuring the safety and dignity of Somali citizens, she added.
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According to the parliamentary report, the bill underwent the legislative procedures required under Article 98 before being put to a vote.
The vote comes as Somalia continues efforts to strengthen its legal institutions and improve protections for people exposed to violence and abuse.
Sexual and gender-based violence remains a concern in Somalia, where years of conflict, displacement and weak access to justice have left many survivors facing barriers to reporting abuse and obtaining legal assistance.
Women and children are particularly vulnerable in displacement settings, while survivors may also face social stigma and difficulties accessing medical, psychological and legal support.
The bill’s approval marks a legislative milestone, although further steps may be required before its provisions can be fully implemented. The information released by the ministry did not detail the proposed penalties for specific offences, the bill’s precise legal provisions or the remaining steps required for it to become law.
Al-Makhzoumi said continued efforts were needed to support survivors, strengthen protections for women and children and promote a society based on justice, dignity and accountability.
The legislation now moves forward following the lower house vote, with its eventual implementation expected to depend on the applicable constitutional and legislative procedures.
The vote also highlights the role of parliament, government ministries and civil society groups in shaping laws intended to address sexual violence and improve access to justice in Somalia.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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