Kiir vows to end gender-based discrimination
President Salva Kiir Mayardit said on Monday that his government is committed to eradicating all forms of violence and discrimination against women.
President Kiir made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership in Juba .
Kiir said his government would intensify the fight to end these violations by undertaking a series of commitments that would remove the barriers.
“Our country cannot afford gender-based discrimination as this hinders peace and development. Let us join hands to promote the mission of gender equality and engage in active support to be champions in this effort,” Kiir said.
Kiir added that his government will develop policies to ensure the inclusion of women at the decision-making level.
“The protection of women’s rights is important to us in government. We have developed policies and implemented programs that ensure the execution of this agenda,” he said.
The President said the conference would enable women to share their life experiences of the conflict and learn from the experience of regional women leaders.
“This Conference not only recognizes the role and potential of women in our country but also gives them support to create an enabling environment for their equal participation in all aspects of our society.”
The three-day conference attended by 400 local, regional, and international delegates was held at Radisson Blu Hotel under the theme “Transformational Leadership in Women, Peace, and Security.”
It brought together different African leaders including the former President of Mauritius, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of the Central African Republic, Catherine Samba, Hon. Martha Wangari Karua, Former Justice, and Constitutional Affairs Minister in Kenya, and other notable women leaders.
The forum will discuss critical issues such as women’s leadership, and governance, women’s economic governance, women and climate change, and women issues and civil society gender as well as the involvement of women at the community level.
