Oct 22, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — The governor of Western Equatoria State, Alfred Futuyo Karaba, has promised that his government will make sure that women will obtain their 35 per cent political representation, as stipulated in the revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018.
The governor made the promise during a one-day training for 35 female representatives of different political parties, organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in cooperation with the non-governmental organization Nonviolent Peace Force.
“This government is going to make sure that the 35 per cent representation (of women) in the government is respected,” the governor said.
The training was organized to raise further awareness of women political rights, including their active participation in the implementation of the peace agreement, and to discuss how they can better cooperate and coordinate activities to make this happen.
The female representatives at the event appreciated the training saying they want a government in which they can hold positions.
“We women must continue to raise our voices to demand this political representation and make sure that it is indeed fully implemented, because we have the right to hold any government position,” affirmed Julie John Sindani, a representative of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance attending the event.
“I am happy about this opportunity to get together with women from different parties to discuss issues that are relevant to women across the country. We want the government that we are not only present but also capable of holding any political position,” said Grace Appolo, representing the Sudan People Liberation Movement.
Christopher Murenga, head of the peacekeeping mission’s field office in Western Equatoria State said that the aim of the training was to offer women a chance to develop strategies for their effective political participation.
“We will stand by the women of this country to make sure that their voices are heard and that they are always part of the decision-making process,” he said.
Western Equatoria is one of the states whose governors were appointed through the SPLM/A-IO ticket.
The SPLM/A-IO has also appointed women representatives to dominant positions such as to the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Health and also to governorship position in Western Bhar el Ghazal State
