Over 130 women from the ten states of South Sudan and the diaspora concluded today in Juba the first ever five-day Women’s National Constitutional Conference.
Speakers briefed participants on the plan of the National Constitution Review Commission, and the role of women in the constitutional review process.
The conference appointed women focal points to coordinate women’s action at state level.
MP Violet Sadia James was appointed focal point for the women in Western Equatoria. She told CRN that in her state little was done to educate women about the Constitution review but she was happy to mobilize the women and share with them what she learned.
The Women’s National Constitutional Conference set up a steering committee to mobilize women across South Sudan for the whole duration on the constitutional review process.
Members of the committee were appointed from women with disabilities, academia, business, organized forces, churches and women chiefs.
Representative of women in academia Tabita Eliaba Kenyi told CRN that she will involve her students in the review process, because the Constitution is very important and defines the identity of the new nation.
Women from the Diaspora were also in the conference, since the National Constitution Review Commission will involve in the review process also South Sudanese living abroad, especially through the website.
Juba Ruben from Australia told CRN that women in the diaspora are many thousands organized in groups, and she is grateful that they are given a chance to contribute their views towards the Constitution of the new country.
Angelina Daniel, from “End Impunity Organization”, is the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee. She told CRN that this conference has been organized since February, and marks the beginning of the participation of women in the constitutional review process.
The conference elaborated some resolutions and handed them to the Chair of the National Constitution Review, Professor Akolda Man Tier, and to the representative of President Salva Kiir, Telar Ring Deng.
President Kiir receives the participants of the Women’s National Constitutional Conference on Sunday in Juba.
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