By: Ijoo Bosco – Torit
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Field Office in Torit had gathered Political and influential women leaders in Eastern Equatoria State for a two days training workshop on capabilities and leadership skills to lead the people.
The two days training aimed at empowering women on good governance and gender sensitive policies that will support sustainable peace and development of communities.
In his opening remarks at the workshop, the Governor of Eastern Equatoria State Louis Lobong Lojore called on political leaders to join their efforts to move the country forward.
He appealed for the culture of truth and transparency among political leaders in order to build a united and peaceful State.
Governor Lobong has urged women parliamentarian to use the chance of training to help them identify their roles and responsibilities in State.
The Governor has applauded women politicians, referring them as responsible leaders and people with vision that are normally cited without corruption related matters.
He urged state women to learn good things in the two days training that will help the State and the country.
“Our citizens must work hard in order to develop our State, it’s not only the governor not the presidency to change,” Lobong said.
However, the Speaker of Eastern Equatoria State Transitional Legislative Assembly, Severino Maira Janus appealed to the people of Eastern Equatoria State to work together irrespective of their political ideas to promote peace and social cohesion among the communities.
He also encouraged women parliamentarian to reach out to their constituencies (grassroots) during the recess in order to talk with their fellow women and preach message of peace and the developments on Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Meanwhile, UNMISS Head of Field Mission in Torit Caroline Waudo said women are critical mentors in conflict resolution, peace building, uniting communities and ensuring full and equal participation in peace and security efforts.
She said, UNMISS is fully committed to support the newly reconstituted mechanisms and institutions of the Revitalize Agreement, the appointment of 30 women out of 100 from various political parties in Eastern Equatoria Legislative Assembly to ensure full and equal participation of women in public decision making.
The UNMISS head of field office in Torit stated that the workshop would provide platform for experienced and newly appointed women leaders and politicians in Eastern Equatoria State to bolster their leadership capabilities.
“The leadership training is also geared to enhance knowledge skills and strategies in good governance and more specifically at this critical time as we prepared for future elections at the end of peace agreement period,” she said.