Bor women mobilise for peace and development
March 8, 2015 (BOR) – Women from Jonglei state capital Bor recently mobilised themselves to call for peace and stability in the state.
The calls came as part of celebrations marking International Women’s Day, held annually on 9 March.
Women across South Sudan have continued to experience enormous hardships post-independence.
Jonglei women said peace and development would be their main focus throughout the year.
“I am sure that the women of Jonglei can make it happen for the societies in Jonglei state to enjoy sustainable peace and development. Women are good peacemakers,” said Abuk Aluong who worked as director of gender in the ministry of gender, child and social welfare.
As wel as the lack of basic services, women must also contend with continuous threats of violence in their daily lives, including child abductions, attacks and killings.
Following a day-long meeting on last Saturday, local women urged both the government and rebels leader to commit to a peace deal and end their ongoing suffering.
Conditions on South Sudan have dramatically worsened since conflict broke out in mid-December 2013 following a dispute within the country’s ruling party (SPLM) over reforms.
Throughout the conflict many women have been raped and even killed, according to Aluong.
While some survivors received treatment and counselling last year in Awerial county’s Mingkaman camp for displaced people, Aluong said the taboo around rape means many women are reluctant to talk about the issue and prosecutions are rare.
“We expected many women to have been raped, but they never reported [it] because of the fear. The issue of culture denies someone to say what she has to say,” she said.
“Culturally, a woman is not supposed to speak out [about] a crime related to sex. It can be a shame on you when you say that I have been raped by someone else who is not my husband; people will always look at you negatively,” she added.
South Sudanese women also face the threat of domestic violence, as well as forced
International Women’s Day was celebrated in Bor with agricultural and small business presentations, as well as cultural performances.
Although women often struggle to find employment opportunities, with farming and tailoring among the few profitable enterprises open to them.
International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on the same day to honour the remarkable contribution of women from all walks of life.
(ST)