UNMISS / SOUTH SUDAN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN DAY

Thousands of people came together for the celebration of International Women’s Day in Mundri, Western Equatoria, South Sudan.

Supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and humanitarian partners, the event was held under the national theme “Accelerate Gender Equality through Inclusion and Access to Productive Resources for Women.”

SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Christine Sitty, Chairperson, Women’s Group, Mundri:
“As women we are having security, but it is not enough because we often visit our farms in remote areas. In South Sudan, 40 percent of women are widows and 20 percent are orphans. We call for an end to discrimination among women because a mother is a mother.”

South Sudan’s Minister of Gender, Aya Benjamin Warile, talked about the importance of including and empowering girls and women to achieve gender equality.

SOUNDBITE (English) Aya Benjamin Warile, Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, South Sudan:
“International Women’s Day empowers individuals and communities to learn about the challenges women face and to work towards solving these problems. This year’s theme underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It is a call for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes and create environments where all women are valued and respected.”

Representing UN, Anita Kiki Gbeho, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General in South Sudan, Anita Kiki Gbeho reiterated the world body’s commitment to supporting initiatives to increase women’s meaningful inclusion and representation.

SOUNDBITE (English) Anita Kiki Gbeho, Deputy Special Representative-Humanitarian for UNMISS, and Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan:
“Women’s participation in the peace process offers a greater chance for a sustainable peace. We, therefore, urge South Sudan to uphold women’s inclusion in the constitution making process, as articulated in the South Sudanese women’s charter, and allow women safe and meaningful participation in the upcoming electoral processes. We call on South Sudan to champion the inclusion of women civic and political spaces as provided for in the revitalized peace agreement. Legislative measures, also called for in the revitalized agreement, should be enacted to ensure the minimum representation of 35 percent of women in key institutions and political processes.”