By Keji Jennifer Silver
South Sudan’s Vice President Dr. James Wani Igga emphasized the importance of education to women and girls stating that culture is the main hindrance to education of ladies. “This is the problem with this because this lady is not educated so how are you going to make her a minister even if she has wanted, so education is number one” said James Igga.
“Let’s encourage our women and our girls to enter into education and forget these idea of where shall I get my dowry saying these lady will bring more dowry than what you are getting from these useless young men” Wani Igga added.
Dr. James Wani Igga was speaking on Wednesday 12th February 2020, in Juba during a Women leaders conference under the theme; Women’s Effective Participation in Sustainable Peace and Development in South Sudan.
The conference was organized by the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare in collaboration with UN-Women, UNDP and other partners.
James Wani Igga, said participation of women in the daily activities depends on the degree ladies are empowered in peace and development. He further said empowering women in peace building, State building and in building livelihoods is extremely fundamental in the contemporary era than ever.
Meanwhile, a representative from UN-Women Joy Zachariah in her remarks said the conference was to voice out the needs and priorities of women and to see that they are included in the peace process and in the implementation of the Revitalized peace agreement.
Jema Nunu Kumba the National Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare reminded women about the remaining days extended by the parties signatory to the agreement last year in November that; she said as the 100 days draw nearer to an end, she urged women leaders in various sectors of the society to brainstorm and strategize and that women need to meet and discuss how to strengthen their intervention from all skills.
These will help them have a comprehensive understanding of how they can collectively engage together and independently in their respective fields of influence to advocate for women, peace and security commitment in pre-transitional and transitional period saying it will also help in monitoring and implementation of the R-ARCSS.
Jema Nunu Kumba, stated that the objective of the conference is to form specific bodies of women to monitor the implementation of the agreement and especially the integration of the 35% affirmative action into the organize forces and in all the civil servants positions and she emphasized that there is a gap between the young and the elderly politicians.