Sudanese minister accuses media of discriminating SPLM’s Women
By Isaac Vuni
February 28, 2008 (JUBA) — The state minister of Energy and Mining in the Government of National Unity, Mrs. Angelina Teny, said SPLM women struggle for representation at all levels of governments in Sudan are not yet fully implemented.
Contributing on Women in Media discussion on the third day of the training workshop of SPLM Women leaders, Minister Teny noted that Media, both in the northern and southern Sudan have not done much in promoting SPLM women contributions and achievements during and after the end of 21 years of bitter struggle by the people of Southern Sudan.
She further cited northern media of discriminating MP Jemma Kumba, chairperson of National Economic Affairs committee in the National Assembly, who had presented in December last year nearly three hours national budget of Sudan but the media deliberately deleted her image from the so called Sudan national television.
Minister Teng added that there is rampant censorship on women dressing style being imposed in relation to Islamic doctrine on all female ministers and MPs in the national government in Khartoum.
“Comes the Second SPLM Convention scheduled from 10th to 16th May this year, we women will show our power as SPLM Women,” said Mrs. Teny.
Meanwhile the Resident Representative of Norwegian people’s Aid (NPA), South Sudan office, Dr. Elias Mitslale Girma, assured SPLM women leaders of NPA commitment and support in empowering women in Southern Sudan. He said out of 1300 employees of NPA in southern Sudan, 35 percent are female is a clear sign of promoting female in administrative positions. NPA has been in Southern Sudan for the last twenty one years with a clear objective of promoting socially and politically the oppressed, exploited and marginalized people of southern Sudan.
Responding to the training needs of southern Sudanese female in media industry, the managing editor of Sudan Mirror, Mr. Dan Effe say his organization have trained twenty five male and twenty five female Southern Sudanese in journalism both in Nairobi and Kampala but most of them declined to take fulltime job in print media. However, he said some of his trainees are now working with various media houses operating in southern Sudan such as Miraya FM radio station. Nevertheless, he noted that the challenge is how to get and motivate female southern Sudanese women in field of media empowerment.
Among the participants are Dr. Ann Itto, SPLM Deputy Secretary General southern sector and advisor to Goss president on agriculture, Hon. Jasmine Samuel Adakayi, Mrs. Grace Datiro Okeruk, Minister of Education, Western Equatoria state , Mrs. Mary Apai, Advisor on Economic affairs, Central Equatoria state, Mrs. Margaret Kani Samuel, Advisor on gender and Child Welfare, Central Equatoria state.
(ST)