LOOMA OOYAAN – NO ONE CRIES FOR THEM: THE PREDICAMENT FACING SOMALIA’S MINORITY WOMEN

USWO Organization - Somaliland: Minority Somali women and girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence due to poverty, marginalization and discriminatory attitudes, but this is often ignored by the authorities and the clans, say Minority Rights Group International (MRG) and IIDA Women's Development Organization in a new report. The report, Looma Ooyan - No one cries for them: The Predicament Facing Somalia's Minority Women, says the perpetrators of these abuses include members of dominant clans, militias and security forces, as well as men from minority communities.

It also details the widespread impunity surrounding violence against minority women and girls and the challenges they face in accessing justice, and following incidents of sexual assault. The report, Looma Ooyan - No one cries for them: The Predicament Facing Somalia's Minority Women, says the perpetrators of these abuses include members of dominant clans, militias and security forces, as well as men from minority communities. It also details the widespread impunity surrounding violence against minority women and girls and the challenges they face in accessing justice, and following incidents of sexual assault.

As of 2014, Somalia had still not signed the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. The report concludes by emphasizing that the inclusion of minority women is the only way lasting peace and stability can be achieved in Somalia. The report is available for free download on http://www.minorityrights.org/13018/press-releases/looma-ooyaan-no-one-cries-for-them-predicament-facing-somaila-minority-women.html