South Sudan pledges to empower women for sustainable development

By Ngor Arol Garang

October 14, 2011 (JUBA)- The government of newly independent South Sudan on Friday pledged to empower women to bring sustainable development to the country, arguing that women’s role in development has societal benefits.

Martin Elia Lomoro, Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries on Friday said it is generally accepted that the full measures of the contributions of women in sustainable development could never be realised until gender inequities are systematically and completely addressed.

Minister Lomoro, who was speaking to reporters outside the council of ministers, said there are a number of acts and resolutions, which many governments and international organisations, including the United Nations, have passed to address gender disparities.

Referencing the many UN declarations on the rights of women and the emphasis on gender within international development organisations, the minister said that he recognised the central role girls and women play in order for it to be fair, democratic and sustainable.

“As government of South Sudan, our plans will focus mainly on education and the training of women, and the girl child. Education and training of women and gender equity are relevant to every single call for action on sustainable development.”

The minister pointed out categorically that “education is not only a human right and an essential tool for achieving the goals of equality, development, peace and the literacy of women, but is an important key to improving health, nutrition, and education in the family and to empowering women to participate in decision-making in society.”

“I do not have the data for the other countries but in the republic of South Sudan, there have been significant gains towards 25% women representation at all level government,” Lomoro explained.

He cited the 2006 ‘go to school initiative’ of the president of the south Sudan; Salva Kiir Mayardit, as one of the plans aimed at eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education. However, much work remains to be done in the areas of retaining girls in school.

There still remain gender biases in the steering of girls from traditionally male fields like science, mathematics and technology. Enterprise-based vocational training and addressing the plight of disabled girls and women remain elusive for far too many.

He said that 2015 remains a realistic target for achieving gender equality in education and registering 50% improvements in women’s literacy levels.

Lomoro further commented that educated girls are less likely to become pregnant as teenagers, as adults have greater potential to avoid inter-generational poverty; practice improved and informed sexual and reproductive health choices, and are more likely to participate in the democratic process.

“When women acquire literacy, numeracy and life skills, they make informed choices regarding the development of their girl-children. Educated girls and women are inherently empowered with the tools for social independence and to make choices without fear of becoming destitute or cut off from economic gains from men.”

“Women who have received training in conflict resolution are contributing to peace building and the prevention of conflicts in flash points. Women are also helping to destroy the production, proliferation and use of small arms. Therefore, knowledge remains the key to momentum action and sustainable results,” the minister explained.

In South Sudan, he said, in many societies, including his own Pojulu tribe, women continue to be the primary care givers for children in early life and for the structuring of the foundational attitudes and precepts that are used later in life for social competition.

“One of the reasons why several social problems ailing our girls seem so intractable to reset is largely due to our (women’s’) indifference or our outright support for several of the harmful practices.”

The minister was asked: “Why it appears some traditional practices have less regard for boys than girls?” and “Why is it that women also support exclusion of the girls from schools, or lead them into early and forced marriages?”

He responded that one plausible reason, amongst many, for this anomaly; especially in the African context, is that the purveyors of gender inequities cleverly clothe harmful practices in cultural, tradition or religion.

“Over the years, he said, these practices became generally regarded as safe and acceptable. By the time we formally defined these problems and resolved to do something about them 40 years ago, the practices were already deeply entrenched and widely being carried out.”

“It follows therefore, that in order to reserve the misfortunes of women, we must put in place similar mechanisms to destruct these old and outmoded traditions and replace them with more equitable and progressive alternatives. So, regarding the question of how long, the answer is: as long as it takes.”

“However, we are here for only a while. Therefore, we must continue to preserve intervention efforts in institutional memory, and formulate creative approaches and delivery vehicles to pass on to future generations. To those who wish to stand on the opposing side of justice and progress, a warning: do not take comfort in our relatively slow progress because on the question of sustainability, it simply comes down to will.”

The minister continued: “Historically, women have demonstrated their capacity and staying power as change agents. Moreover, as long as we maintain the dialogue for social change and apply adequate talents and resources for the empowerment of girls and women, there is no doubt the process will eventually lead to the attainment of gender equity.”

“Therefore, I can safely declare here and now, that we remain irrevocably committed to the development of girls and women, and their full relevance and participation in sustainable development. We further declare that we are not going anywhere, but will remain engaged in the process until all retrogressive and outmoded paradigms on gender and sustainable development are substantially and permanently eliminated.”

(ST)