South Sudan to increase women participation to 25%

May 7, 2007 (JUBA) — The First Vice – President and President of Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS), Salva Kiir Mayardit, has announced the start of the South Sudan Government to raise the women participation in positions in the southern states to 25%, pointing out that southern women will assume constitutional and legislative positions.

Salva Kiir made this announcement at the opening sitting of the Sudanese Women National Conference in Juba city today, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs of South Sudan Government, in collaboration with the United Nations and General Union of Sudanese Women.

Kiir has affirmed the concern of South Sudan Government with education and working to make it compulsory, the official SUNA reported.

He stressed the importance of the effective women participation in all domains. He called for unity to confront all the challenges, as well as expansion of love among all people. He donated 100,000 dollars in support of the women in south Sudan.

Meanwhile, the wife of the President of the Republic and Honourable Chairwoman of the General Union of Sudanese Women, Fatima Khalid, asserted the state’s support to the women participation at all levels, SUNA said.

She lauded the role of South Sudan Government and the United Nations for success of the initiative of holding the conference. She also affirmed the state’s commitment to the National Political Document on Women.

While the wife of the First Vice – President of the Republic and President of South Sudan Government, Mary Ayang, called for increase of the women participation in assuming positions.

The Minister of Roads in South Sudan Government, Rebeka Garang, has referred to the suffering of the women at rural areas and called for supporting them, especially in the education field. She also pointed the role of women in the struggle and leadership. Representative of the First Lady in South Africa said at the meeting that the women issues in South Africa and Sudan are identical, expressing her welcome to the exchange of experiences between South Africa and Sudan.

The opening sitting of the conference was also addressed by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs in South Sudan Government, who affirmed the key role of women in development and building of the future.

(ST)