Homosexuality in Somali culture
Sexual Orientation in Somali is of the traditional view of that of the Koran. Meaning that it is punishable by Somali law for anyone to commit or participate in same sex marriages or same sex relationships. The laws that a person would be charged with if they were caught having sexual intercourse with a person of the same sex is Article 409 of the Somali Penal Code. The punishment that the person or persons could receive would be imprisonment from three months to three years. Currently all regions of Somali do not recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, or domestic partnerships. They also do not have any discrimination protections for a persons gender identity or lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender sexuality.
Women's Rights-
Women in the Somali culture are considered to be subordinate to men. Women are also not very vocal in the politics that are being played out in the Somali State. There are several women’s groups that advocate women should be allowed to hold public office. Puntland is the only areas were women are allowed to hold seats in the Transitional National Government and 25 of those seats are reserved just for women. Men are allowed to have more than one wife but women are not allowed to be married to more than one man at the same time. Also when a husband or a father dies the women are allowed to inherit property but they can only inherit half as much as a male can. Also if a woman becomes a widow they will receive protection from her husband’s clan and may be taken in by the husband’s direct family. If the direct family of the husband has a brother it is possible for that brother to marry his sister in-law under the Dumal Principle. Women also engage in some economic activity but they do not have the right to own property on their own.
Women's Rights-
Women in the Somali culture are considered to be subordinate to men. Women are also not very vocal in the politics that are being played out in the Somali State. There are several women’s groups that advocate women should be allowed to hold public office. Puntland is the only areas were women are allowed to hold seats in the Transitional National Government and 25 of those seats are reserved just for women. Men are allowed to have more than one wife but women are not allowed to be married to more than one man at the same time. Also when a husband or a father dies the women are allowed to inherit property but they can only inherit half as much as a male can. Also if a woman becomes a widow they will receive protection from her husband’s clan and may be taken in by the husband’s direct family. If the direct family of the husband has a brother it is possible for that brother to marry his sister in-law under the Dumal Principle. Women also engage in some economic activity but they do not have the right to own property on their own.
United Kingdom: Home Office, Somalia Country Assessment, April 2002, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/486a52e40.html [accessed 28 April 2013]