Watchdog urges parties to preserve women quota as reconstitution of key institutions looms

JUBA – A South Sudan civil society watchdog has appealed to the signatories of the revitalized peace agreement signed in 2018 to protect and be mindful of women’s quota, amid speculations that the government is soon reconstituting key transitional institutions.

According to the deal officially dubbed as ‘Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCISS),’ all party signatories to the deal shall allocate at least 35 percent of the positions allocated to them to women at all levels of government.

The parties have however failed to respect the provision as number of women appointed to government and legislative positions right from the national to state and local governments has fall short of the threshold provided for under the revitalized peace agreement.

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has launched an initiative known as the Status of Women Initiative (SOWI) to monitor and advocate for implementation of women’s share as provided for in the agreement.

Speculations are now going on across the country that the government is about to reconstitute the National Political Parties Council, the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) and the National Elections Commission (NEC).

In a strong-worded statement extended to Sudans Post this afternoon, CEPO’s Status of Women Initiative (SOWI) urged the parties to protect women’s share of power during the formation of the three key transitional institutions.

“CEPO program on Status of Women Initiative (SOWI) is aware that reconstitution of the political institutions namely Political Parties Council, National Constitution Review Commission and National Elections Commission are looming as provided by the provisions of the R-ARCSS,” said CEPO in the statement.

“CEPO-SOWI is urging the leaders of the political party signatories to R-ARCSS to genuine enforce the quota of the 35% for women during appointment of their respective members to the reconstitution of the Political Parties Council, National Election Commission and National Constitution Review Commission. Implementation of 35% for women in various seats of these institution is key for securing meaningful women participation and representation in the democratic transformation of our society,” it added.

The statement said the civil society group sees commitment of the parties to the peace deal’s implementation “as necessary step to genuine and effective enforcement of the 35% for women during the reconstitutions of the three political process institutions.”

“It is a moment for the women political leaders from various parties to stand together for appointment of influential women leaders to the various positions in the Political Parties’ Council, National Elections Commission and National Constitution Review Commission. This is one of the cornerstone steps for securing political space for meaningful women political and technical participation and representation in public life,” the statement added.

The statement reiterated its calls for all the political parties “to ensure that they enforce the 35% for women at their various seats during the reconstitution of the Political Parties Council, National Elections Commission and National Constitution Review Commission without any failure or excuse. Any violation of the enforcement of the 35% for women by any parties during the reconstitution of the Political Parties Council, National Elections Commission and National Constitution Review Commission use of lawsuit will be apply for the party that violates the enforcement 35% for women.”

“Finally, SOWI is urging the women leaders to proactively engage their respective political parties for genuine enforcement of the 35%% for women during the Reconstitution of the Political Parties Council, National Elections Commission and National Constitution Review Commission.”