Paradox: High Graduation rates Amidst Low Labor Force Participation".

"You have to applaud for the ladies... No, women, stop applauding; men should applause for you," the president remarked.

In a stirring address at Hargeisa University's recent graduation ceremony, the president's words echoed a resounding call for recognition and applause for the accomplishments of women. As the applause erupted, he quipped, "You have to applaud for the ladies... No, women, stop applauding; men should applause for you." It was a moment that encapsulated the shifting narrative of gender acknowledgment and appreciation.

The ceremony bore witness to a remarkable statistic: 54% of the graduates were women, a testament to the strides made when access to education transcends societal barriers. Even more striking, 22 out of 29 honors were bestowed upon female graduates, underscoring their academic prowess despite the considerable burden of household responsibilities that often falls upon them.

Amidst these celebrations, the president's acknowledgment extended beyond mere applause. He recognized a historical imbalance where women have long applauded men but advocated for a reversal. "Women used to clap for men for a long time, but now men should do the same," he boldly proclaimed, signaling a paradigm shift in societal norms. Yet, the ceremony wasn't devoid of somber realities. The president confronted the alarming increase in rape cases, shining a spotlight on a distressing societal issue that demands urgent attention and concerted efforts for change.

Education for girls and young women has seen a promising uptick, with a significant number of female graduates emerging annually. However, a disheartening paradox emerges as these educated women face a bleak job market within their own country. Despite their qualifications, they encounter limited employment prospects due to entrenched biases in the private sector, which is predominantly controlled by men espousing regressive views on women's rights.

Key industries like telecommunications and banking, pivotal to the nation's employment landscape, present a disconcerting scenario. While women are predominantly relegated to menial roles such as cleaners, their opportunities for meaningful employment in these sectors remain scant, perpetuating a cycle of exclusion for educated female graduates.

The president's rhetoric, while cognizant of the realities faced by women and girls, seems to lack the decisive actions necessary to rectify these systemic imbalances. The government's inaction in addressing women's access to opportunities in the private sector, largely influenced by conservative factions, stands as a glaring oversight.

The issue extends beyond employment discrimination alone; it seeps into the fundamental rights of women. Some companies brazenly prefer hiring men to avoid providing compensation for maternity leave, a blatant violation of women's rights and a stark impediment to their career advancement.

While the president demonstrates awareness of the challenges plaguing women's employment prospects, a lack of concrete measures to rectify these disparities casts a shadow over his administration's commitment to gender equity. The specter of unemployment looms disproportionately over female graduates, not solely due to their gender but exacerbated by the absence of governmental support.

Ultimately, the president stands at a critical juncture, possessing the knowledge and comprehension of the plight faced by women and girls. However, the pivotal need of the hour lies in fortitude and decisive action to dismantle systemic barriers and pave the way for equitable opportunities, ensuring that education doesn't culminate in a void of job prospects for the nation's educated women.