Envoy urges government to speed up implementation of women agenda
The parties to the 2018 revitalized peace deal are dilly dallying to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 aimed at protecting women against conflict-related sexual violence, said the envoy of the Netherlands to South Sudan on Monday during the closing of the women’s transformational leadership conference at Radisson Blu Hotel in Juba.
“Since the adoption the UN Security Council resolution 1325 much has been achieved, but implementation of the agenda for women peace and security is lagging behind, the ambition expressed in various resolution contrasts sharply with reality,” Marjan Schippers told journalists on Wednesday.
She said the situation of women in conflict affected areas of the country remains very serious and difficult.
“The transition and transformation that South Sudan is in is a process, women transformational leadership is an integral part of it, it is based on capacity to think about women leadership as a springboard for growth and positive change,” Schippers said.
The three-day International women’s transformational leadership conference discussed a range of issues including women’s leadership and governance, climate change, economic challenges, access to education and gender-based violence.
Schippers called for inclusive participation of women at institutional levels of governance to help deter gender- based violence in South Sudan.
Riek Machar, the First Vice President said prevailing gender inequality is due to low literacy rate in the country.
“Women of South Sudan have gone through difficulties, you might have been marginalized despite your strength, the marginalization come because the literacy rate in South Sudan is low,” Machar said.
Sara Beysolow Nyanti, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Resident Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, said women’s resilience and determination are inspiring and need to be met with support.
Ayaa Benjamin Warille, the Minister for Gender and Social Welfare, said that women have sacrificed resources to create spaces for them to participate on issues that affect their lives.
