Women in South Sudan need empowerment rather than affirmative action.
GoSS Minister without Portfolio Priscilla Akuc Joseph told the participants at a public lecture on Culture and the Nation in South Sudan that the women are marginalized due to subordination by their families and traditions.She explained that women have practical needs like education, clean water and social justice.
Dr. Akuc said women have strategic needs and interests to reverse injustices in the families and reclaim their position in the society.
Dr. Akuc said affirmative action is not the way to go if South Sudan wants women’s participation in development, because it is a passive process and does not involve them.
She explained that women are chosen instead of proposing themselves forward.
Dr. Akuc added that for women to contribute meaningfully in the development of South Sudan empowerment issues should top affirmative action.
She said empowerment gives women the right to exercise their rights to make choices on future matters like access and control of information, and human and social resources.
Dr. Akuc added that empowerment gives a sense of self worth which makes people to participate better in society.
Affirmative action is the choice to reserve to women a percentage of places in politics and public administration.