UNFPA welcomes the new law that the Somaliland Parliament passed on 6 January 2018 and that criminalizes all sexual offenses. We congratulate the Parliamentarians in Hargeisa for creating a historical moment in the fight against all forms of gender based violence and the struggle to ensure justice for survivors. 

We have been advocating for the adoption of the law since 2011 and have worked closely on the drafting and advocacy for the adoption with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA) and NAGAAD Network, an NGO which works towards empowering women.

The Somaliland Parliament passed on 6 January 2018 a law criminalising all sexual offences. 51 members of parliament attended the parliamentary session where the Sexual Offence Bill was officially endorsed, with 46 MPs voting in favour of the law, two opposing it and three abstaining from voting.

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