By Staff Writer
Against the backdrop of Juba’s vibrant community spirit, a powerful dialogue unfolded as grassroots women sat side by side with women parliamentarians, breaking barriers and reshaping narratives in Juba.
On December 6, grassroots women and women parliamentarians engaged in a dialogue under the theme “Women’s participation in decision-making is key in sustainable peace and development.”
The historical gathering, hosted by Active Citizen South Sudan (ACSS) with support from LM International, aimed to bridge the gap between policymakers and the local women whom their decisions impact the most.
As a result, the momentous gathering became a rallying cry for inclusive participation, giving women a platform to voice their challenges, dreams, and demands for equality in South Sudan’s social, political and economic arenas.
While addressing the crowd in Juba on December 6, Gai Makiew Gai, Project Officer for Active Citizen South Sudan, revealed that the overall goal of the dialogue was to foster greater understanding and collaboration among women groups.
“We felt that it was high time for the women Parliamentarians to understand the challenges women at the grassroots face so that these issues can be elevated for discussion in the government or parliament,” he explained.
“So, our aim is to enhance women empowerment, and increase awareness among women so that they know their role in national development or nation-building. We wanted them to also know that women also are part of peace, part of development, part of any development happening in the country,” Gai added.
About 85 young women attended the dialogue with women parliamentarians who participated in Juba.
For many, this was more than a dialogue – it was instead a chance to reshape the narrative of women’s participation in national development.
Nyakume Paul Riek, a 25-year-old participant, expressed her hope for transformative change through such engagements.
“If we take this to heart, I think there will be a change. Women will gain our rights – both in the household and in government,” she stated.
Ms. Riak highlighted the marginalization of women, pointing out that societal expectations often confine them to domestic roles.
“The women here in our country have been known for household roles – just cooking and taking care of children,” she revealed.
“So, if we build on this partnership successfully, things will change. Women will at least have rights in government and in everything they do. What a man can do, a woman can do better. Women are strong people, and they can do anything,” she concluded.
Nyankuol Wicjial Buor, another participant, highlighted the significance of the dialogue in educating women about their rights and how they are enshrined in South Sudan’s constitution and customary law.
“This is an opportunity for grassroots women to learn how their rights are documented and how parliamentarians are putting them into practice,” she said.
Nyankuol also underscored the importance of engaging directly with lawmakers. “It is an excellent opportunity to debate and learn how rights are protected and what measures are in place to address violations,” She stated.
The dialogue culminated in a call for policies that embrace and promote women’s rights, with participants urging one another to advocate for gender equality.
Nyankuol encouraged women to support and uplift each other, saying, “We need to encourage one another and stand strong. Women need to talk and advocate for their rights together,”
Through initiatives like this, grassroots women and parliamentarians are setting the stage for a more inclusive and equitable South Sudan, where women’s voices are heard and valued in every aspect of society.
For many grassroots participants, this dialogue was a first – a chance to interact directly with lawmakers, share their realities, and demand greater inclusion.
Parliamentarians, on their part, acknowledged the necessity of engaging with grassroots voices to drive effective and equitable policy-making.
Together, they explored pathways to strengthen women’s rights, amplify their participation in governance, and dismantle long-standing barriers to equality.