SPLM’s Ito challenges political parties allocate top seats to women
By Ngor Arol Garang
March 11,2010 (KHARTOUM) – Dr. Anne Ito, Deputy SPLM Secretary General for southern Sector, , challenged other political parties to include women in top seats saying her party has already a policy encouraging more women participate in the 2010 general elections.
Opening women association meeting in Juba at Sunflower Hotel, the official urged that her party, being the ruling party in southern Sudan attaches importance to issues affecting women because of their hard work.
Commenting on remarks by GOSS President Salva Kiir who had earlier urged political parties to support more women in the 2010 elections as a way of attaining gender parity, Dr. Ito said the SPLM is already encouraging women to be active in politics.
She said recognition of International Women’s Day by President Salva Kiir and members of his government serve as an indication that women are valued and appreciated. Most countries have not declared Women’s Day as a public holiday and that South Sudan is among the few region that have done so shows that the SPLM government values women, Ito said
She advised women to make themselves available to take up political positions saying it is very difficult for political leaders to impose leadership on women who cannot make themselves available or show willingness to take up party positions.
She called on political parties to field more women in the forthcoming elections stressing women should be commended by all political parties which value the work of women. Women play an important role in issues affecting the nation and that it is imperative to have them in politics.
“Our party is expected to elect number of women whom we think can contribute to national development,” she said adding majority of registered voters in region are women and encouraging them participate in elections should be seen as a priority. She said in conclusion that inclusion of more women in politics will help in promoting good governance.
(ST)