UNFPA, S. Sudan gov’t advocate for network of gender experts
By Julius N. Uma
The strategy was derived as part of a five-day gender main-streaming and capacity building workshop commencing on Monday for the country’s state directors of gender and women association chairpersons, currently under way in Juba, the South Sudan capital.
South Sudan, which became independent in July, has a 92 percent illiteracy rate amoungst women, according to the 2006/07 household health survey.
“We still have numerous challenges before us,” Mariam Jato, a gender advisor at UNFPA acknowledges, adding that, “for any country to succeed in its holistic development, the active participation of women cannot be undermined.”
Jato specifically cited South Sudan’s high maternal mortality rate, saying the health ministry at both the national and state levels can only succeed in reducing these trends through creating awareness among women in society.
Currently, South Sudan’s maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the world. According to the country’s 2006/07 household health survey, over 2,000 women die for every 100,000 live births.
At least one out of seven women who become pregnant, World Health Organization (WHO) said in its 2010 report, dies from pregnancy-related causes in South Sudan.
“There is a need to educate the population so as to create awareness in society. This can help in changing the negative attitudes some men may have towards women,” the UNFPA gender advisor, said.
She added, “We are not against society cultural values. We only need to bring gender into the mainstream so as to influence the thinking between men and women in society.”
Majok Kur, Jonglei state’s acting director for gender cited violations in children’s rights, insecurity and lack of awareness on the dangers of HIV/Aids as major setbacks to the government’s post-war recovery.
(ST)