Mogadishu Dec 02, 2022 (SD) – The Deputy Speaker of Somalia’s lower house, Sadiya Yasin distanced herself from advocating for the controversial gender bill which the parliament rejected.

The bill sparked outrage among Somalis and was seen as incompatible with Islam and Somali culture since being introduced to parliament in 2020.

Sadia Yassin reiterated that she was not advocating for the said bill, but claimed to be among the officials campaigning for the bill to be revised to align it with Islamic Sharia.

Speaker Sadia Yassin made the controversial comments at an event marking 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Mogadishu. During the event, she said, “I will leave Mogadishu if the parliament does not pass the bill.”

Many people believed that she was referring to a Gender Bill, which the parliament rejected before she was elected to deputy speaker of the parliament.