This article discusses the role female and young candidates are expected to play in Somalia's upcoming election. Some, like candidate Issa Mahmoud, are hoping to create radical change in the political life of the country. Others, like female candidate Farhia Ali, are running to stand up against conservative values and prove that women deserve to participate politics. Consider this excerpt below:
"While election campaign banners fill Mogadishu's streets, a number of young candidates stand out. They aspire to reach both houses of parliament: the National Assembly of Somalia (lower house) and the Senate (upper house).
Many of these young people hope to bring about radical change in the political scene in Somalia - a scene that has become largely viewed as a battleground for senior politicians and tribesmen exclusively. For three decades, the ability of young people and women to participate in politics has been severely restricted."
To view the full article, click here. To view the Arabic version of the article, click here.