South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"

By Simon Deng
The National Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan Political Affairs Division on Tuesday organized symposium to enhance women participation leadership and governance.
Mary Nawai Martin, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said her ministry has role to play in educating and building the capacity of legislators and women in political leadership across the country.
“The purpose of this training is to build skills for female parliamentarians and women in leadership and political participation, our parliament has fundamental role in ensuring that each representative, law making and scrutiny function work for the benefit of all,” said Nawai at the symposium held in Juba.
She disclosed that progress on women political participation has been slow, adding that there is need to involve women in decision making at the political level.
James Francis Kutiyote, the Undersecretary in the ministry of parliamentary affairs said the workshop has provided platform for women to build their capacity in leadership and political skills.
“We know how important women are in our society particularly in their participation in the government, we support increasing the number of women in the government so that we have great decision making,” said Kutiyote.
Guy Bennet, a representative for UNMISS Political Affairs Division said political participation of women contributes to building sustainable peace and reconciliation across the country.
“While South Sudan is currently implementing roadmap for the revitalized peace agreement, inclusion and participation of women from all backgrounds is envisaged to contribute to sustainable peace in this country,” said Bennet.
Bennet said gender provision in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement apportions 35 percent representation of women in government.
“The state of power- sharing especially from the gender lens has not been satisfactory according to the roadmap itself, women participation is fundamentally not yet in line with the 35 percent in both the executive at the national and state levels,” he said.
Bennet added that UNMISS will continue to support effective engagement of women in the peace process as well as all peace building efforts.
“This workshop is recognition of the critical role of women participation in the executive, decision making including in constitution-making process, and the electoral process. The UN stands ready to provide support and technical assistance to all South Sudanese and institutions,” he disclosed.