South Sudanese to celebrate international women’s day
By Julius N. Uma
March 7, 2011 (JUBA) – South Sudanese women are expected to join the rest of the world to commemorate the 100th anniversary of international women’s day’s on 8 March.
To many however, annual event is seen as a day when women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate as they reflect on their roles in society.
In a statement issued Monday, Margaret Mathiang, undersecretary ministry of gender, child and social welfare in the southern government emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the achievements women have made in the region.
Women in South Sudan account for nearly 60% of the entire population, according to the 2008 Sudan Housing and Population census results. Sadly, however, the illiteracy rate, which is estimated at about 90 percent, is reportedly highest among the women.
Lise Grande, the UN Deputy Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for South Sudan called for more emphasis on girl-child education as opposed to the traditional beliefs often attached to early marriages.
“We need to abolish the practice of paying dowries during marriage. If too much attachment is placed in bride prices, then little focus will be on the importance of education,” said Grande, as she closed last week’s 10-day workshop on gender-based violence held in Juba, the South Sudan capital.
The UN Deputy Resident and Humanitarian, however, said that the complete abolition of dowry payment will entirely depend on what communities in South Sudan agree upon, and not necessarily through the intervention of development partners.
The year’s international women’s day celebration is based on the theme, “Equal Access to Education, Training, Science and Technology: Pathway to Decent work for Women”.
(ST)