AWEIL – A two-day transformative mentorship workshop aimed at empowering women leaders concluded on Wednesday in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, drawing participants from national and state parliaments as well as women’s associations.
Monica Nyibol Aleu, the Minister of Gender and Social Welfare, said the workshop sought to strengthen the capacity of women leaders to advocate for their rights in governance and upcoming elections.
“We have a percentage that we intend to fight for. As we are given our share of 35%, we need to be participatory in governance and all political activities that concern us. So, we call on every young woman who is educated to speak up,” said Aleu.
The minister encouraged women to be more visible and proactive in addressing issues that affect them, particularly as the elections approach.
“I encourage you, as young ladies, to show up whenever such activities occur. Always appear and ask for your rights,” she added.
Adut Deng, one of the participants, praised the workshop and urged her peers to pursue education to broaden their perspectives and enhance their leadership potential.
“I applaud the UNDP and the Ministry of Gender for organizing this workshop,” Deng said, emphasizing the importance of education in achieving gender equity in leadership.
The workshop, which generated excitement among the attendees, highlighted the critical role of women in governance and leadership, underscoring the need for continued efforts to support and mentor women leaders in South Sudan.