Women call for equality in top echelons of decision making

Women leaders are demanding equal representation within the top echelons of decision making.

Jenifer Akech, the Representative for the South Sudan Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) said Wednesday there is a need for meaningful participation in peace and politics for women.

“Women suffered a lot during conflict and this is because men looked at them as inferior,” said Akech during the opening of a two-day symposium at Crown Hotel.

The symposium is organized by FIDA, Female Journalists Network (FJN) and Support for Women in Governance (SWIGO) with support from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

Akech said insecurity remains the major issue preventing meaningful participation for women in the political process.

Adding to the existing patriarchal system is also keeping women behind their men counterparts in participating politically, economically and socially.

 “Women have rights to participate in decision making, they have rights to participate fully in politics and also in top government positions,” she said. 

Women and children in South Sudan bore the brunt of the conflict that broke out in December 2013.

Both women and children continue to be victims of violence at the sub-national level, enduring all crude human rights violations such as rape, abduction and killings.

 Akech called for ending torture, rape and all forms of gender-based violence against women.

Ayaa Benjamin Warrile, the national Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, said they are working hard to claim back the rights of women.

She disclosed that some of these efforts include, ending teenage marriages as well as advocating for the enactment of family laws.