The cultural context and experiences of women in Somaliland provide insight into both specific and universal challenges to the fulfillment of the human rights of all Somali women. For instance, the collapse of the central government eliminated the legal protection of the human rights of women. In the same way, the prolonged war adversely affected their socioeconomic situation.

A critical measure of the transitional administration of a war-torn country is its success in providing security and the rule of law to its people. These can only be realized when there are functioning institutions to uphold them. Somalia’s legal, judicial and law enforcement institutions collapsed during the civil war. State responsibility for guaranteeing personal safety, protection of private property, and freedom of movement was lost. Social norms were violated and a state of lawlessness prevailed.