On May 20th, 2024, Baraarug Library hosted a thought-provoking session under its “Tea and Talk” program. The event featured Mustafa Abdulle, an esteemed guest speaker, who led an engaging presentation on “The Challenges of Cultivating Intellectual Feminism in Somalia.” This special event welcomed ten prominent Somali women activists and social media celebrities, creating a dynamic and enriching environment for dialogue and learning.
Mustafa’s presentation opened with a critical discussion on the current intellectual landscape and the barriers to feminist discourse in Somalia. He emphasized the distinction between feminism as a social/political movement, which focuses on activism and policy change, and feminism as an intellectual movement, which engages in theoretical and philosophical exploration. Highlighting the achievements in women’s rights and policy changes in Somalia, Mustafa also pointed out the significant absence of a feminist intellectual movement and its crucial role in fostering deeper societal transformations.
The discussion moved towards the intellectual discourse and humanities in Somalia, where Mustafa noted the predominance of scientific positivism and the marginalization of the humanities. This sidelining of critical thinking and ethical reasoning has profound implications on social and political freedoms, further complicated by religious dogmatism and utilitarian views on education. Mustafa elaborated on the challenges facing feminist intellectual movements, such as the dominance of religious puritanism, the devaluation of theoretical explorations by scientific positivism, and the cautious and conformist intellectual climate resistant to change.
The presentation sparked a lively and critical discussion among the participants. One notable contribution came from Oumalkaire Robleh known as Bullo Qareen, a renowned activist, who passionately explained the suffering experienced by many Somali women. She attributed these hardships to Somali cultural norms and practices, highlighting the urgent need for cultural reform alongside intellectual and social activism.
The session concluded with an open floor for questions and further discussion, where participants engaged critically with Mustafa and each other. They shared their insights, raised critical questions, and proposed contributions to advancing feminist intellectual movements in Somalia. The dialogue underscored the transformative potential of fostering a feminist intellectual movement that can enhance social and political activism through deeper intellectual engagement.
Baraarug Library’s “Tea and Talk” program continues to serve as a vital platform for empowering Somali women activists and promoting meaningful discussions on critical issues. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, the program aims to inspire and catalyze positive change in Somali society.