19th March 2026
Somaliland faces significant challenges in protecting women and girls from GBV due to gaps in the legal framework, heavy reliance on customary justice, and limited access to GBV services, especially in rural areas. While some policy commitments exist, such as anti-FGM and child-protection frameworks, delayed legislative reforms and uneven implementation continue to undermine accountability and survivor protection.
Key recommendations:
- Prioritise the adoption of a rights-based sexual offences law, ensuring the pending Rape, Fornication/Zina and Related Offences Bill does not criminalise consensual sex or permit forced marriage or family settlements.
- Introduce a national FGM ban to align with the government’s zero-tolerance policy and strengthen prevention efforts.
- Limit the application of customary (Xeer) law in rape and GBV cases, ensuring survivors’ rights are upheld through formal justice systems.
- Enhance training for police, prosecutors, and judges to improve GBV case handling and reduce reliance on customary and traditional resolutions.
- Increase allocation of resources for survivor services, including shelters, legal aid, psychosocial support, and referral pathways, particularly in rural areas.
Strengthen community awareness campaigns to shift harmful norms and improve reporting of sexual violence and FGM.