Girl child education featured prominently in the speeches during yesterday’s celebration of the International Women’s Day at Rumbek’s Freedom Square.
Advisor for Gender in Lakes State Adak Costa Mapuor told the jubilant crowd that the empowerment of women in South Sudan can best be achieved through education, Good News Radio reported.She called for gender sensitive policies to be put in place to increase the number of girls attending school.
Dhieu Wal, who chairs the Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs in Lakes State Assembly, said empowerment of women has to begin with girl child education.
He urged parents not to promote early marriage for girls to finish their education.
Deputy Governor Daniel Ayuol Makoi quoted late Dr. John Garang saying that women in the Sudan are the marginalized of the marginalized.
He added that many women in South Sudan did not have much to celebrate about on International Women’s Day.
He joined other voices in calling for equal education opportunities for girls, advocating for policies that discourage the marriage of underage girls.