Africa-Press – South-Sudan. National Symposium on Action plan and Women Peace Security kicked off in Juba drawing women participants from four states including Ruweng state in a bid to adopt resolutions on gender equality yesterday.
This was organized under the theme:” Together for her: Strengthening Women Leadership to Achieve Gender Equality in South Sudan”. And it has engaged about 40 Women Lead Organization (WLO) supported by NGOs including Donors and stakeholders to ensure that women are not discriminated in the country.
Julius Egbeyemi Charge de affairs of Canada who enlighten more on Gender equality in said that it is high time to understand gender equality. “We need to understand holistically gender equality about terms and condition that need to be addressed by all stakeholders.
Government of Canada has prioritized on Women and Girls globally, with quality research that implied for prosperous World. We need to see gender equality in the Country through stepping up campaigning about 365 days of Activism “, he said.
Egbeyemi shared his testimony of washing dishes himself as an example to his family. “We need set example for ourselves when talking about Gender Equality, I used to wash dishes for my family and avoid misconceived masculinity over femininity long overdue.
So let men start doing dishes work before their wives and be leading through example”, he added. Political Advisor of German Embassy revealed that National Symposium should have served as a potential platform to exchange views for Women peace and security of emerge situation of arm conflicts.
“There is a mounting evidence based on atrocities committed against women and girls. The voices of women still remain in unheard and ignored. There is a need for mutual collaboration and linkage between the government and international partners for possible remedy”, she said.
Jelte van Wieren Ambassador for South Sudan from the Government of Netherlands revealed in his opening remarks that, 15 millions of sexual base violence continue to be recorded all over the World.
He noted that, gender inequality continue in western and advanced Countries especially Netherlands where online violence through cyber bullying and lack of equal job opportunity existed.
Van also called on government to adopt set values of gender equality in education curriculum and asked for mechanism set up for breaking barriers through affirmative action.
Nevertheless, Jackline Nasiwa Women Led Organization (WLO) representative highlighted achievements including formations of 60 Women Lead networks in five states established friendly space for women network, especially those persons with Disabilities (PWD).
Women Human Rights defenders do exchange visits and conduct campaign for WPS. Nasiwa lauded women participants from their involvement during 16 Days of Activism.
“I saluted your utmost participation during 16 Days Activism and I would reiterate that, Women’s voices has been sidelined and ignored due to Historical and Cultural aspects in South Sudan” she said.
She urged partners and donors community to support WLO in extending campaign and services to all states in the Country. “We are a group of 40 WLO operating in few states.
We need to broaden our services to all states when there is enough funding. I called upon our donors and partners to increase funding for WLO in extending campaign and enable them to pursue their equal rights. Women had been historically marginalized”, she added.
John Malish the deputy Country Director for Care International concluded his remarks with new project dubbed ” When Women Rise” this is to bring to your attention that, we put first women and girls issues in our agenda”, he stressed.
Malish echoed that, they used to lobby funds from donors by meeting standard required through proposals and so forth. He urged partners as well as stakeholders to extend commitment in changing community perspective over rigid cultures despite civic space shrink.
Prof. Chaplain Kara Media outlet representative, emphasized on inclusion of women into key positions perceived to be male dominated ones here in South Sudan.
“We need to emulate our neighbor countries who appoint women to position of spokesperson. Position of police, army spokesperson and even in the office of President Press secretary”, he underscored.
He also criticized partners that carried out many workshops without tangible impact but just reports to convince their donors. “We made numerous workshop and no evaluation for impact realized.
It is time for us to do what we say. We need tangible reports that have positive results, rather than wasting time and money”, he concluded. Symposium was organized by Care International with funding from Government of Netherlands, German and Canada.
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