Juba, South Sudan,
December 17, 2021 — A leadership forum aimed at strengthening participation of women in peace, governance and nation building has been established in seven states of South Sudan.
The initiative is a follow-up of the national launch of South Sudan Women Leadership Forum (SSWLF) by the Vice President for Gender and Youth cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng on May 31 and June 1, 2021.
Speaking at the launch of the forum on Wednesday, Central Equatoria State Minister for Gender and Social Welfare, Bullen Amos, acknowledged the positive roles women play in various societies.
“This training offers a platform for strengthening the women’s participation in peace, governance and nation building,” he said.
The minister said the state government is committed towards supporting women to ensure that their rights are fully respected.
Article 1.4.4 of South Sudan’s revitalized peace agreement focuses on empowering women and girls to enable them to play roles in societal struggle for realization of peace and security for human society.
Elizabeth Lubanga, who works for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) stressed the importance of the 35% affirmative for women in the peace deal signed in September 2018.
“Women in South Sudan deserve to be given identity, solidarity and safe space to enable them to engage each other and actively participate in politics, peace and nation-building,” she explained.
Lubanga said the goal for the training, supported by UN Women, is to support formation of SSWLF in states and in the administrative areas.
She said the objectives include;
- To establish and strengthen women political leadership structures at state and three administrative areas
- To equip women leaders with skills for influencing decision making
- To empower women leaders for setting proper narrative for good governance
- To foster leaders advocacy for speedy implementation of R-ARCSS and 35% affirmative action for women
Mariam Agul John, a gender advisor to Central Equatoria state governor, said the participation of women in the peace process was key in negotiations that led to signing of the 2018 peace agreement.
She lauded the Vice President’s office for spearheading the launch of SSWLF and ensuring women have voices in societies of South Sudan.
John Atem, a legal advisor in the Office of the Vice President for Gender and Youth cluster, called for the establishment of a women enterprise development fund that provides subsidized credit schemes.
