Somalia is poised to miss the 30% women’s representation quota in its 2022 parliamentary elections, with only 49 female MPs elected out of 236 so far just 18%. Hitting the quota would require electing 34 more women out of the remaining 39 seats, an impossible target. This marks a setback for women’s rights and inclusivity in Somali politics, despite earlier commitments. Prime Minister Roble attempted to advocate for more female participation, but the absence of legal backing and reliance on clan discretion undermined the efforts. Notably, regions with strong support for Farmaajo Galmudug, South West State, and Somaliland showed high female MP counts. However, critics argue this was a strategic ploy: many of the women elected are inexperienced and closely tied to the outgoing administration, raising concerns that their roles are symbolic and politically manipulated. Further complicating progress is Somalia’s conservative culture, where traditional and religious beliefs often discourage female leadership. Some women candidates were even used to block opposition figures under the guise of gender equity.