Women’s bloc decries low representation at state levels

JUBA – South Sudan Women’s Bloc, a body that advocates for women’s rights, has said that the parties have violated a provision of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement which allocates 35% of seats to women at state levels.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference in Juba on Tuesday, Amer Manyok Deng, Chairperson of the South Sudan Women’s Bloc, a stakeholder in the peace talks, said out of eight governors, only one seat was allocated to women.

“As we speak now, you know that we only have one female governor in the whole country and is only one party which is SPLM-IO having a female governor,” Ms. Deng told reporters in Juba.

Ms. Deng accused the ruling party, SPLM, South Sudan Opposition Alliance, Other Political Parties, and Former Detainees of violating the 35 percent quota for women.

“But the SPLM and the rest of the parties are just silent. The same thing if you go to the Payams, we don’t have females there, 34% is not implemented,” Ms. Deng said.

“If you go to county commissioners, the 35% is not implemented and if you go to the chiefs and all the organs of the country, the 35% is not implemented.”

Ms. Deng said more women like Western Bahr el Ghazal Governor, Sarah Cleto, should be appointed.

“If you see the way Sarah Cleto is working in this country, there is no male governor that works like her. Those activities Sarah Cleto is doing, any other female governor can do and can also change the status of the people,” she said.

The outspoken activist demanded a 35% quota for female representation at all levels of state government.

“Women have the ability to work, if a right woman is nominated in the right position, she can bring changes to the society.”

The September 2018 revitalized peace deal states that all stakeholders should allocate 35% of their share of positions at all levels of government to women.