A workshop focusing on Governance and Constitutional Development in South Sudan kicked off on Monday in Rumbek, with only two women turning up among 50 participants.
The three-day workshop that brings together representatives from various institutions in Lakes State was organized by the Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SuNDE) in partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the Forum of Federations.Zara Sayid, popularly known as Mama SuNDE, told Good News Radio that the workshop has three aims: to enhance the knowledge of participants about the constitution; to present different systems of governance; and to bring about a clearer understanding of negotiation, dialogue and advocacy to enhance the participation of citizens in governance.
Mama SuNDE said she did not understand why only two women turned up in a State with so many women’s associations.
She urged the women of Lakes State to come up and learn about South Sudan Constitution in order to close existing legal loopholes and protect the future of their children, especially girls’ education.
NDI Representative Tarikul Ghani said the workshop was a forum for sharing information about the Constitution.
He said the training does not defend a particular system but offers comparative experiences of governance for South Sudanese to make informed decisions.
The Rumbek workshop is the second of the three planned with focus on the Constitution.
The first workshop took place in Juba and the third will take place in Wau.
The draft Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan was released last month and become the supreme law on July 9 for a period of four years.