Gender discrimination in Somalia or Puntland is deeply rooted in cultural, social, and institutional practices, with significant impacts on the lives of women and girls. In this modern world, every woman in Puntland can create the kind of life she wishes to lead, which is unconstrained by harmful social norms and discriminatory stereotypes. To make a future where women and girls in Puntland are free from harmful stereotypes and discriminatory practices, concerted efforts from all sectors, like the government, civil society, the private sector, and communities, are necessary. Local actors like the Puntland Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are agents in this process, impacting the degree to which norms influence local practices. They have a better understanding of local cultures and religious belief systems. They are, therefore, better placed to push the process of norm adaptation at the local level, including in rural areas.
