Injustice+Towards+Women+History


 * History of injustice towards women in two African countries**

__Somalia: A history of injustice towards women in an underdeveloped nation__
Somalia's history traces back all the way to the 15th and 16th century to when it was discovered by Portuguese traders. Somalia's modern history starts from the 19th century. European powers began to establish themselves in and around Somalia. Their land became a place for trade for the Europeans. Britain gained more control over Northern Somalia by treaties with Somali chiefs claiming protection. In 1897, a boundary was created between British Somaliland and Ethiopia because of treaty negotiation.

A dervish rebellion group led by Mohamed Abdullah "Mad Mullah" challenged British authority for the first two decades. In 1920, British defeated Abdullah by bombing Abdullah's stronghold at Taleex. Till this day the people of Somalia acknowledge him as a hero and a major figure. More boundaries were made from 1897 to 1908 when Italy marked out their boundaries of Italian Somaliland. Britain soon became the underdog when Italian troops overran British Somaliland in 1940. Italy's rule didn't last long because British government re-conquered the land and it was once again under British control. In 1960, Somalia gained their independence. They started off with a well developed country, economy and all genders was close to equal. They where led by Aden Abdullah Osman Daar, the first president of Somalia.

Through out the 10 years, Somalia lost control of their government stability and failed to help themselves without the help of Britain or Italy. Somalia went into war with Ethiopia and had disputes with Kenya, even though they won and gained eighty percent of their territory. Ethiopia marked them as their biggest enemy. Ethiopia was not able to defeat Somalia. They where constantly seeking for help from other countries. With help from Cuba and Russia they where able to force Somalia out. All of Somalia's effort and money was gone to waste and they only gained enemies form their surrounding neighbors. Who was to be blamed? Dictator Mohammed Siyad whose own ignorance brought down Somalia with him.

Somalia started off with a great base when they gained their independence. The European gave them a wonderful push by doing all the hard work which might have been a negative effect on Somalis part. When they left they didn't have knowledge on how to maintain their stability. They failed to help their men and women rebuild after the on going war. That's where the issue comes in with the poor respect for women.

**Important figures contributing to the progression of women's rights in Somalia:**

Zam Zam Adbullahi is a women's rights activist in Somalia. She is the Chairperson of the Somali branch of the African network for prevention and Protection of child abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) as well as Capacity building officer for Coalition for Grassroots Women Organizations (COGWO). She is an important figure working towards better treatment of Somalian women

During Siyad Barre time in power Somalian women were an important part of society. After he was overthrown the standard of living for women went down.

**__Cape Verde: A history of injustice towards women in a successful nation__**

 * Cape Verde stands out in Africa for being the most developed nation in human rights, specifically in women. Cape Verde has had many high points in the development of women's rights but there are a few low points as well. Cape Verde is progressing at the same rate as a nation with a similar background in women's rights, such as the United States. Most of the struggles including injustice toward women occurred a few years after independence was claimed. This applies for both the United States and Cape Verde. **


 * The islands of Cape Verde were unexplored and uninhabited up until the 15th century when the region was claimed and colonized by the Portuguese. The location of Cape Verde became important for the Atlantic slave trade because of it's convenient location off the east coast of Africa. However the location was not convenient for long. Pirate attacks soon after the habitation of the islands caused the European slave trade to leave Cape Verde. Therefore, there is no history of injustice towards women including the slave trade, which makes sense why the island country is so far ahead of the other regions of Africa in that aspect. The minimal women's rights problems led to later strong accomplishments for the region. **


 * A few of the accomplishments in Cape Verde concerning women's rights include: Women were given the right to vote in 1975, the signing and ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1980, the signing and ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) in 2005, the African Party for the independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde won Guinea-Bissau's first multi-party elections in July 1995, and the presence of a white ribbon campaign in Cape Verde supporting the rights of women in the region. **


 * I believe the lowest point of development in women's rights in the region of Cape Verde was that, in 2005 human's rights activists were beaten and arrested on account of their work. However, this problem was quickly doused and forgotten about. **

Important figures contributing to the progression of women's rights in Cape Verde:
Ms.Vera Duarte gave seminars that helped to reshape Cape Verde's policies on women's rights.

Aristides Maria Pereira was the first post colonial president of Cape Verde and he continued to preserve women's rights in a nation undergoing major changes.

Home Page