Lakes state SPLM chairlady speaks against disrespect for women
May 13, 2015 (RUMBEK) – The chairlady of the South Sudan’s ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), in Rumbek, the capital of Lakes state, has called on authorities in the country to respect the rights of women and to promote peace and reconciliation among the rival counties to stop the inter-clan violence among Dinka communities in the state.
Ayar Joseph Kuc, said that women were the victims of the current violent situation even in the capital, Rumbek.
“Women are being raped and their children are dying in various frontlines of skirmishes on both internal and external clashes,” Kuc said on Wednesday.
She described women as peace lovers and would want to see the war stopped and development taking place so that their husbands come back from the frontlines and children go to school.
The chairperson in particular expressed concerns about ongoing inter-clan violence in Lakes state between Dinka communities that has so far left hundreds dead this year alone.
She said that stability of Lakes state would bring more blessing to the people of South Sudan, adding “the dignity is the pride of everyone born but we must not overlook the dignity of others on this earth.”
Kuc further lamented that women had lost their dignity in Lakes state as it had been compromised by the current lawlessness in the state, claiming that women and children’ rights have been denied to them.
She urged all women in Rumbek to rise up and reject all forms of discrimination against women, further calling on them to promote and restore their deserved respect and dignity through peaceful understanding with the leadership of South Sudan.
Lakes state has been blighted by cattle raiding since South Sudan gained independence from the Sudan in July 2011, and continues to be locked in a cycle of inter-clan clashes and revenge killings.
Youth activists and traditional authorities have repeatedly called for the removal of the caretaker governor, General Matur Chut Dhuol, amid claims he had failed to stem the violence. However, president Salva Kiir has so far overlooked these calls.
Dhuol was appointed in January 2013 after president Kiir sacked the elected governor, Chol Tong Mayai. The caretaker governor was supposed to call for elections within 60 days as stipulated in the country’s constitution. He however failed to do so and no other authority bothered to remind him to implement the constitutional provision.
(ST)