Diplomats of eight embassies in Juba are urging the national government to end discrimination and violence against women and support female’s role in promoting peace across the country.
In a joint statement, the heads of missions of Denmark, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States urge South Sudan’s leaders to ensure that girls are properly educated.
Mark Weinberg, Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Juba, says South Sudanese women and girls have a great role to play in all aspects of lives.
The diplomats say the ongoing violence affected South Sudanese women and girls and forced many of them to the neighboring countries.
Weinberg says recent reports of Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism and human rights organizations show that cases of sexual violence against women have reached alarming rates throughout the country.
The diplomat urges South Sudan’s political and military leaders to end widespread violence and discrimination against women and keep girls in school.
He says the international community will work together to deliver education for all South Sudanese girls so that they can make their full contribution to the society and for a lasting peace.
The International Women’s Day was commemorated under the theme: ‘Press for progress’.