Abdi Mohamud
SUCCESS DISPARITY BETWEEN GIRLS AND BOYS IN THE DIASPORA
Following the turmoil created by the 1991 civil war, Somalis left their country in great numbers. Most of them went to the neighbouring countries, namely Kenya and Ethiopia, while others in their thousands made their way to Europe and North America. Canada, the US, and the UK were their preferred destinations. There may be above 100,000 living in each one of these countries. There are also sizable and noticeable Somali populations in many other European countries particularly in Western Europe and Scandinavian countries. It is hard to know the exact number of Somali living in any given country because different sources give starkly different numbers. People usually rely on numbers produced by census agencies which declare the Somali population figures far below the actual numbers of Somalis living in different European and North American countries. It is likely that many Somalis do not participate in their respective countries’ censuses. For instance, in Canada, the 2021 census put Somalis in Toronto at 24,760, but UPG North America using the Access to Information Act found that over 56,700 Somalis lived in Toronto when the 2021 census was taken. That is a huge difference. Similarly, American Community Survey 2020 found that about 140,000 Somalis call the US home. That number may also be inaccurate because other sources estimate that 80,000 Somalis are in Minneapolis alone. In Sweden, 70,000 Somalis live there according to the 2021 census, while in the UK, it is believed that the number is well over 100,000. And it is the same story in many countries in Europe.
It is important to note the Somali populations in different countries to have an idea of the respective communities’ strengths, vibrancy and cohesion. It is equally important to measure or pay attention to their participation and level of engagements in politics, business, education and so on. And no better group will shed brighter light on these matters than the young folks who grew up or were born in the west. These young folks are in their twenties and thirties now. The expectation is that many of them have graduated from universities, started their own businesses or are employed in their respective professions, and have even begun getting married and having families. Expectation in success in these age groups has always been higher because of the opportunities available to them. They have grown up in the most advanced countries in the world where all things to aid their success are available in abundance: good environment to live in, good education systems, job opportunities, healthcare, and so on.
SUCCESS DISPARITY BETWEEN GIRLS AND BOYS IN THE DIASPORA
Following the turmoil created by the 1991 civil war, Somalis left their country in great numbers. Most of them went to the neighbouring countries, namely Kenya and Ethiopia, while others in their thousands made their way to Europe and North America. Canada, the US, and the UK were their preferred destinations. There may be above 100,000 living in each one of these countries. There are also sizable and noticeable Somali populations in many other European countries particularly in Western Europe and Scandinavian countries. It is hard to know the exact number of Somali living in any given country because different sources give starkly different numbers. People usually rely on numbers produced by census agencies which declare the Somali population figures far below the actual numbers of Somalis living in different European and North American countries. It is likely that many Somalis do not participate in their respective countries’ censuses. For instance, in Canada, the 2021 census put Somalis in Toronto at 24,760, but UPG North America using the Access to Information Act found that over 56,700 Somalis lived in Toronto when the 2021 census was taken. That is a huge difference. Similarly, American Community Survey 2020 found that about 140,000 Somalis call the US home. That number may also be inaccurate because other sources estimate that 80,000 Somalis are in Minneapolis alone. In Sweden, 70,000 Somalis live there according to the 2021 census, while in the UK, it is believed that the number is well over 100,000. And it is the same story in many countries in Europe.
It is important to note the Somali populations in different countries to have an idea of the respective communities’ strengths, vibrancy and cohesion. It is equally important to measure or pay attention to their participation and level of engagements in politics, business, education and so on. And no better group will shed brighter light on these matters than the young folks who grew up or were born in the west. These young folks are in their twenties and thirties now. The expectation is that many of them have graduated from universities, started their own businesses or are employed in their respective professions, and have even begun getting married and having families. Expectation in success in these age groups has always been higher because of the opportunities available to them. They have grown up in the most advanced countries in the world where all things to aid their success are available in abundance: good environment to live in, good education systems, job opportunities, healthcare, and so on.
