In Somalia, patriarchy is not always loudly declared, it is quietly lived, it shapes family decisions, determines who controls resources, and decides whose voice carries authority in public life. By default, it privileges men, yet beneath this surface advantage lies a paradox: the same system that seems to elevate men is holding the entire society back. At first glance, patriarchy may appear beneficial for men. It grants social status, control over opportunities, and decision-making power. But this advantage is narrow. When women are excluded, the country loses half of its potential workforce, thinkers, and innovators. Ideas remain unrealized, businesses unstarted, and solutions undiscovered. Economist Amartya Sen once wrote, “ Development requires the removal of major sources of unfreedom, including the denial of women’s rights .” In Somalia, this “unfreedom” manifests as limited access to education, professional roles, and political representation for women. The consequences ripple...
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