By Bosco Bush
Deputy Governor of Jonglei State, Atong Kuol Manyang, has praised the implementation of the 35% women’s quota in the transitional government.
However, she stressed the need for more comprehensive inclusion of women at all levels of society to ensure their voices are heard and their perspectives are valued.
She expresses sharp criticism of the narrative about women being viewed as “helpless victims” rather than being involved as leaders in various areas who deserves to be given the space to articulate and amplify their voices.
“We should be in leadership positions and partner with men to effectively contribute to reconstructing South Sudan now and beyond,” said Atong.
The official said, this will be possible if women inclusion is prioritized at every stage of the peace process, empowerment through capacity building, advocating for girls’ education, offering adults education and providing kindergartens services to mothers in work places.
She also mentioned other initiatives like microfinancing women’s small businesses to be self-reliant, building alliances for collective actions, creating safe spaces for dialogue, considering the role of young women and future leaders.
Admitting to the key political and security positions held by women in the transitional government which she’s unexceptional, Atong underscores that unlike their male counterparts, the high positions come with high prize that requires extra hard work to prove their competencies valued.
“I can attest to it that, in most cases unlike our counterparts, those high positions like some that I held at the state level comes with high prizes. Whereby, to be recognized, accepted and appreciated by the public as competent, women have to work extra hard and prove beyond any reasonable doubt that they deserve the position,” she underscored.
According to her, more need to be done in the public sector where women can occupy and serve in top positions such as undersecretaries, director generals and directors. But not only as secretaries, clerks, messengers and cleaners.
The deputy governor made this remark during the two-day 4th Annual National Conference on Women, Peace and Security held in Juba on Tuesday, October 22.