South Sudanese women are discussing gender roles in the referenda processes to mobilize and sensitize their peers to take part in the popular consultation.
Women coming from the ten states of South Sudan started t in Juba a three-day conference under the theme “Enhancing Women’s Participation in the 2011 Referendum” to discuss gender roles and issues related to the vote on self-determination.Addressing the participants, GoSS Minister for Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Agnes Kwaje Losuba, said that the conference aimed at providing women accurate information on the referenda regardless of their political affiliations.
Ms. Kwaje urged the women to concentrate on all referenda aspects since they will determine its outcome because women represent over 60 percent of the adult population in the region.
Ms Kwaje said women needed action plans to access and share accurate information on the referenda in order to make well informed and right choices during the voting.
She reiterated that the objectives of the conference included promoting women participation to help sensitize and mobilize eligible women voters.
The conference is attended by GoSS vice president, Riek Machar Teny, and was organized by the Office of the President in collaboration with GoSS Ministry of Gender, Child and Welfare.