JUBA – South Sudan’s National Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare stated on Monday that women should be supported in financial, educational, and political aspects to facilitate change.
Speaking during the Women, Peace, and Security Conference in Juba on Monday, Joyce Ayoub, program assistant at the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, stressed the need to empower women to become self-reliant.
“We need to empower women financially, educationally, and politically. If a woman is not empowered financially or politically, she may not have the potential to influence change. We cannot achieve equality if we are not standing in the same shoes,” said Ayoub.
The Women, Peace, and Security Conference was held in Juba under the theme “From Policy to Power” and critically reflected on South Sudan’s progress in implementing the global WPS framework, 25 years after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
Modi Mbaraza, the Executive Director of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) South Sudan, stated that women leaders, civil society actors, and policymakers must move beyond written commitments and translate the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda into practical actions.
Mbaraza praised the 35% affirmative action policy for women’s representation as a major milestone but challenged participants to go beyond numbers and push for meaningful participation.
“We talk about the 35% affirmative action, which is a positive move for women’s participation in decision-making. The Women, Peace, and Security agenda is crucial for us as women in South Sudan,” said Mbaraza.
Sharon Mairyunu, the Gender and Protection Coordinator at the Oxfam South Sudan Country Office, reaffirmed Oxfam’s ongoing commitment to supporting women’s rights organizations and advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda.
“As Oxfam, we are excited to be part of this important conversation. This is a good time to reflect on what has been done and what still needs to be done. But importantly, we must be honest with each other about what really needs to change,” said Mairyunu.
The conference was organized by YWCA South Sudan in partnership with Oxfam and the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, providing a platform for stakeholders to evaluate the country’s progress and chart a collective way forward for inclusive peace and development.
