By Obale Emmanuel-Torit
Women Led Organizations Network in Eastern Equatoria State ahead of the International Women Day celebration on March 8th 2022is calling for equal participation of females in government institutions.
Last week, the organizations gathered and deliberated on the challenges facing the women and girls across the state, Radio Emmanuel reported.
A press statement read by Flora Sebit, Deputy Secretary of the Network, says women and girls face numerous challenges on economy, protection, participation, education, livelihood and health related issues.
“Culture hinders women’s access to own and inherit resources like land, denial of girl child to education, women involvement in decision making, blood compensation with girl child and their opinions are ignored at home even during dowry payment in customary courts and they are always stopped not to talk and blame for it. The 35 percent affirmative action plan is not fully met and WLOs urge for equal participation of women across all levels of the government within the state”, she demands.
The statement also says economic crisis and poverty are the major causes of school dropout affecting girls; and also culturally females are denied access to education especially in remote areas.
“Economic hardship and poverty place pressure on vulnerable women especially single mothers, widows, and orphaned girls who cater for all basic needs and care bound on children, family members and relatives resulting in school dropout. The girl child is denied access to education especially those in rural areas, inadequate or lack of schools. Sometimes long distance creates fear among girls, and an inadequate number of teachers. Informal education is getting lost in the families. There is no close relationship, lack of respect to elders, children behave the way they like, girls and boys dressing code is inappropriate”, the women leader emphasizes.
Mrs Sebit says women in the state remain steady and they have gained some little achievement like business setup, return to school and increase in the women representation at the state parliament.
“Women in Eastern Equatoria remain strong, committed and resilient in promoting the fight for gender equality, celebrating their achievements in the past years where women observed increased representation in the state parliament. At least some young mothers have returned to school, and women’s centers have become famous and friendly to all. Some women at least got empowered and have set up businesses where they can support their families with basic needs. Women participate in peace dialogue and some are facilitators in peace building trainings”, she testifies.
The statement was made on Monday to the press at the women’s center in Torit of Eastern Equatoria State.