I write on behalf of the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC- Africa) which represents over 17 million members across 51 African countries to denounce the irregular and unilateral manner in which you withdrew the Sexual Offences Bill from the Federal Parliament on 26 November 2019. We call for the restoration of the Bill without delay.
ITUC- Africa is concerned that your undue intervention prevents the Federal Parliament from considering a Bill, which passed into law, can make important contribution to the protection of women and the promotion of gender equality in Somalia. The Bill has provisions on sexual offences, their definition, prevention and protection of all persons from harm associated with unlawful sexual acts. It also defines and criminalises rape, gang rape, sexual assault, unconsented sex, sexual slavery, sex tourism, sex trafficking, forced marriage, sexual harassment, abduction or unlawful detention for sexual purpose, child marriage, among others.
ITUC- Africa wishes to draw the Honourable Speaker’s attention to the adoption in June this year of ILO Convention (No. 190) on Violence and Harassment in the world of work which signifies the attention that the world as a whole is paying to the issue of violence against persons, including sexual violence. The passage of the Sexual Offences Bill in Somalia will mark an important step towards the domestication of this ILO Convention which Somalia also supported to be adopted at the International Labour Conference in June.
ITUC - Africa calls on you, Honourable Speaker, to restore the Sexual Offences Bill back to the Federal Parliament as early as possible. We count on your favourable consideration.
Kwasi Adu-Amankwah
General Secretary, ITUC-Africa
