From 2015 to 2017, the UNDP Somalia Country Office implemented a Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment strategy. During this time, they challenged negative social norms and empowered women to participate in governance, peacebuilding, and state formation processes. Their efforts led to a record increase in women's political representation in the current parliament and the passing of a Sexual Offences Law in Puntland, achieved through close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia and other UN agencies.

However, despite this progress, Somali women still face significant challenges and are marginalized in almost every aspect of society, despite their contributions to daily life. According to the Social Institutions and Gender Index, Somalia remains one of the world's lowest-ranking countries for gender equality, with very high levels of discrimination, restricted physical integrity, and limited access to resources and assets