Consultant to complete a situation analysis of violence against women and girls in Somalia

Result of Service The primary objective of the consultancy is to draft a Situation Analysis on violence against women and girls in Somalia, utilizing a desk review of primary and secondary documents, conduct a legal analysis of relevant policies, strategies, legislation (including customary law) and United Nations policies or frameworks impacting violence against women and girls, and interviews with relevant stakeholders. Based on this research, a Situation Analysis will be drafted.

Once the Situation Analysis is finalized, the Consultant will participate in a consultation with members of the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development and ESCWA to identify relevant objectives in order to draft a National Strategy on Combating Violence against Women and Girls in Somalia. The Consultant will then facilitate a national consultation with relevant stakeholders to validate the Strategy.

Work Location Somalia

Expected duration 3 months

Duties and Responsibilities Somalia has endured several challenging decades in recent history, including a civil war, conflict with non-State actors, humanitarian crises, and significant internal and external displacement. In light of these challenges, since 2012, the Government of Somalia has worked to establish a stable, effective and democratic structure of government and to work at the social, economic and political levels to address inequalities. This includes combatting violence against women and girls at the de jure and de facto levels. Somalia’s Provisional Constitution of 2012 outlines the need to address violence against women, and the Somalia Women’s Charter (2019) calls for zero tolerance for all forms of gender-based violence. In 2018, a progressive, survivor-centered Sexual Offences Bill was approved by the Cabinet but failed to be ratified by the lower house of parliament; instead, a new bill permitting child and forced marriage was introduced resulting in a backlash. In early 2020, the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development began work on a national action plan on ending sexual violence in conflict, which was curtailed due to the pandemic. The Somali police force has been developing a disciplinary policy and code of conduct aimed at combating gender-based violence. Notably, Somalia has ratified a majority of the core United Nations human rights treaties but has yet to ratify CEDAW or draft a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. Despite these efforts, several concerns remain, particularly with regard to conflict-related sexual violence that is further compounded by displacement, natural disasters, food insecurity, a limited infrastructure for addressing violence, and the recent pandemic. As of 2020, 14 per cent of women aged 15-49 have experienced physical violence since the age of 12, while only 17 per cent of ever-married women aged 15-49 who had experienced emotional, physical or sexual violence had ever sought help. Alarmingly, 36 per cent of women believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife. Most Somali women (99 per cent) aged 15-49 have undergone female genital mutilation. Concerning conflict-related violence, in 2020, the UN documented an almost 80 per cent increase in cases of sexual violence in Somalia as compared to 2019. In light of these advances and challenges, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) is supporting the Ministry of Women and Human Rights Development in Somalia to take more concrete steps towards combatting violence against women and girls. Thus, ESCWA is looking to recruit a Consultant to draft a Situation Analysis on violence against women and girls in Somalia to inform a strategy on violence against women in Somalia.

Expected deliverables are:

a) A Situation Analysis on violence against women and girls in Somalia; b) A database of the available policies, strategies, legislation (including customary law) and United Nations policies or frameworks concerning violence against women and girls in Somalia; c) A National Strategy on Combatting Violence against Women and Girls in Somalia; and d) Facilitation of national consultations with relevant stakeholders to validate and finalize the Strategy.

Qualifications/special skills A bachelor’s degree in the fields of Development Studies, Human Rights, Social Work or Women’s/Gender Studies is required. An advanced degree is desirable. A minimum of five years of experience working on human rights, gender equality and/or gender-based violence, preferably in Somalia is required. Familiarity with the dynamics of gender-based violence and survivor-centered service provision, preferably in Somalia is desirable. An ability to deliver quality products in a timely manner and an ability to meet deadlines. Excellent drafting, reporting and presentation skills, as well as communication skills. Proven writing skills in English.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali is required; working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.