Women's groups in Somalia have wrapped up a three-day convention in the capital Mogadishu. They approved a charter to advance the rights of women in the country. CGTN's Abdulaziz Billow attended the convention and filed this report.

The convection - the first of its kind in the country - brought together women delegates from the civil society, rights organizations and business community home and abroad. Delegates discussed the role of women in peace building and representation in government. The sessions were divided into different groups with participants discussing ways in which women can lobby for their rights to be included in politics, justice and the ongoing constitution review process.

DEQA YASIN HAJI WOMEN AND HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER, SOMALIA "The whole purpose is to come up with a women's charter that will be a blueprint for advancing women's rights. How women can have justice that works for them - sexual offences bill - FGM and how different stakeholders can mobilize and move forward a strategy to implement."

ABDULAZIZ BILLOW MOGADISHU, SOMALIA "The three-day convention will culminate the endorsement of a charter that outlines specific demands by Somali women -top on that list include more women representation in politics and leadership. It's aimed at pressuring Somali authorities to increase the number of women in future decision-making process."

DEQA YASIN HAJI WOMEN AND HUMAN RIGHTS MINISTER, SOMALIA "We are coming with specific and tangible demands and requests. In constitution we want this and this to happen - in elections we want this and this to happen - when it comes to women protection this is what we want - bills to be passed. We are asking specific demands to the parliament."

Parliament has also been to task to Mogadishu to approve a pending electoral reform bill that would enshrine the principle of a 30 percent gender quota in future national legislatures. During the last election cycle, parliament failed to meet the 30 percent quota - the same was also noted in the formation of the cabinet and regional administrations.

HALIMA ISMAIL IBRAHIM CHAIR, NATIONAL INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION "The constitution is yet to indicate the30 percent quota of women in leadership. We expect female parliamentarians to put up a spirited to ensure it passes and we get our rights. The ball is now in your court."

As the country gears towards democratic elections in 2020 - women see this as a major milestone - for decades, clan elders had the final say in selection process of the next representatives to parliament - but with a popular vote planned for upcoming elections - more women hope to contest for more representations in parliament, senate and regional assemblies.