As women celebrate the International Day, UN Women Country Representative says the 35 percent women participation is not just about positions.
The global Theme for this year is; ‘Think equal, be smart, innovate for change’.
Meanwhile, the national theme says; ‘Think equal, make 35 percent of women participation count.
UN Women Country Representative, Funmi Balogun says it is very important to emphasize about the 35 percent women participation in South Sudan.
‘We are talking about 35 percent and we have spoken about the need for women to be in leadership. It’s very important that we re-emphasize that it exists. It’s a very positive message that has come out of the peace agreement. And we want to make sure that it happens. The 35 percent for women, is not just about the positions, is not just women sit in this positions. But women will bring different perspectives to leadership; women will be able to look at their families and will be able to allocate public resources differently looking at their communities’, she notes.
CEPO Manager, Betty Sunday, also calls for the implementation of the revitalised peace agreement to give peace a chance.
‘What we want to see is that this peace is being implemented in word and spirit. As a citizen of this country, I was born in war, grow up in war and got married in war. Can we say enough is enough? Can we work towards the peace which was signed? Can we work towards the implementation of the peace agreement? This international women’s Day as Bishop said that we are celebrating the day after signing the Revitalised Peace Agreement. For those who are working in the government, this is the message of the women that we need the 35 percent to be implemented accros, but not only at the executive. There are a lot of women who can do a lot of things in this country’, the activist emphasizes.
Advisor to Gbudwe State Governor, Norah Zangabeyo calls on men to respect women.
‘We also call upon men to respect women. When you see a woman, please be a brother, father and uncle to her. The men of South Sudan should give protection to all the women. Let women not be at danger when they see a man whether at night or any place’, she appeals.
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights