Women affirmative action plan in offing: Gender minister

March 9, 2022 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s Gender, Child and Social Welfare ministry is developing an affirmative action aimed at consolidating gains so far made by women in the country, its minister disclosed on Friday.

“We have realized we cannot go beyond this and that’s why we are developing the plan for affirmative action. There is progress and that one will hold parties accountable,” said Aya Benjamin Warille.

The minister was speaking in an exclusive interview ahead celebrations to mark this year’s International Women’s Day based on the theme, “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”.

The first International Women’s Day was commemorated in 1911.

According to Aya, her ministry’s mandate is to constantly remind the parties’ signatory to the September 2018 revitalized peace agreement about the 35 percent affirmative action provided for the women.

“We have made progress, but we shouldn’t relax. There is still a long way to go and everybody should play their part for this success,” she said.

“We are working very hard to at least achieve a minimum of 35 percent”.

The peace agreement provides for a 35 percent quota for women’s participation in the transitional government and South Sudanese women hope this key provision will be a catalyst for change in the young nation.

The minister further revealed that nationwide consultations are underway for establishment of the women enterprise development fund.

“The development of the model was started back in 2018, then we realised the consultant was given the scope work was only in Juba. This, we thought, that can be the basis on which we will make a country wide consultation so that we get the opinion of everybody,” said Ayaa.

“We will officially launch once consultations are done,” she stressed.

According to the peace deal, the transitional government shall establish the fund for provision of subsidized credit for women-based enterprise development and capacity building of women entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, Aya acknowledged the contribution of women in development.

“I would like to ask all of us to break the bias. Let’s be honest with ourselves, let’s accept that. Let’s acknowledge that it exists so that we can face it,” she remarked.

On Tuesday, hundreds of women gathered at Nyakuron cultural center in South Sudan’s capital, Juba to celebrate International Women’s Day.

(ST)