Join Political Parties and Increase Representation in Leadership, Official Tells Women

By Simon Deng

Joining political parties and seeking nominations for democratic positions through them will help women increase representation in leadership, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mary Nawai Martin, said.

It will create equal representation with the men and as well create a comfort zone for women in the male dominated political arena in the country, Martin at the launch of the Multi-Stakeholder Gender Platform in Juba yesterday.

“I need to remind our aspiring young women that political nominations are made through political parties, not private sectors or civil societies,” Martin said.

“Please join political parties and if you ask me which one, of course, I will say SPLM because I am one,” she said.

 “As women leaders the other concerns we look at include improving education among women, looking into the health-related problems of women, providing legal aid and counseling, enacting legislation for the betterment of women and contributing to the development to the development of the country.”

Rukaya Mohamed, the Deputy Country Representative for UN Women described women participation in leadership as of paramount importance.

“The political participation and leadership of women in fragile environment, particularly during democratic transitions is critical to sustaining democratic institutions,” Mohamed said.

“Women participation in leadership, political participation, decision making and peace process is critical for sustaining peace,” she said.

 “Further to that, in post conflict or fragile states, women’s active inclusion in government strengthens transitions in democracy, women can increase legitimacy of emerging institutions, broaden the political agenda and promote consultative policy making.”

Linken Nymann Berryman, the Norwegian Ambassador to South Sudan, for her part, said equal representation is essential for promoting lasting peace and security in the country.

“In the context of promoting lasting peace and security, we often refer to representation,” Berryman said.

“Women should be included as negotiators, as decision makers and as legislators – the inclusion of women in decision making is a step on the way to gender equality in politics and society,” she said.