Somalia Parliament Grants Women Almost One-Third Of Seats

Somalia's lower house of parliament has passed legislation that gives women 30% of seats in both parliamentary chambers.

The lower house has a total of 274 seats while the upper house has 54 seats. Women have been complaining of under-representation in the country's politics.

But some male aspirants who were hoping to win a seat in upcoming elections have rejected the new legislation as people should have the right to choose whatever candidate they want.

Abdirashid Duale Ahmed told BBC Somali service that "our rights have been violated".

Somalia's MPs are nominated by their respective clans.