N. Bahr el Ghazal women advocate for fair representation

December 12, 2014 (JUBA) – Less than six months after he was appointed caretaker governor of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Kuel Aguer Kuel, has come under intense pressure from women politicians discontented with his new changes and have embarked on campaign for fair representation in the state administration.

In a show of dissatisfaction with the recent appointments, women say they are underrepresented in the new cabinet, claiming 25% allocation for women stipulated in the constitution was not fulfilled as required.

Ayak Zachariah, head of women union in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, said nothing new has happened in recognition of the important role women played in various engagements and activities in the interest of the country, arguing it was a breach of constitution.

“We have seen nothing new to women since the formation of the new government. There are 14 cabinet positions out of which there is only one woman. Another one was appointed as a mayor and one advisor. This brings us to the total of three women in the whole government. There are no women in the senior structure of the local government. None of them is a commissioner”, she said.

According to Zachariah, the state government under the governor’s leadership was doing little to fulfil their demand in accordance with the state transitional constitution.

“We are not asking too much. We are not talking about the pledge of the leadership of the SPLM, particularly the desire of the president to increase the participation of women to 30% representation. What we are asking is the implementation of 25% allocation to the women in the transitional constitution”, she said.

This is what we are asking only and we are still asking the governor to reconsider the state constitution. We know he will do it but we must remind him”, added Zachariah.

Meanwhile Elizabeth Angok, another woman activist, petitioned the United Nations mission head in the country, seeking protection of women allegedly living hostile environments of killings, torture, harassment, physical abuse, threats and subjective removal of women from leadership positions without seeking their consent.

“The recent killing of the former Mayor of Yei municipal represents a clear view of the challenges women are facing in this country. In northern Bahr el Ghazal, women were removed in the leadership positions without their consents,” said Angok.

She added, “A speaker and her deputy were all removed and they never complained because they were in fear of threats to kill them if they oppose the decision. Which means in elections, women will not be able to go out for campaigns”.

(ST)