Jonglei women demand deputy governor’s position
January 20, 2016 (BOR) – Women groups in South Sudan’s Jonglei state are advocating that the deputy governor’s position be allocated to a female candidate.
“We need women to be included in the government here in the state. We need the deputy to be a woman; the governor should do that”, said Awur.
“Women are smart in planning and we are peace lovers. If we are not ignored by the system, we can bring about positive change”, she added.
Women, according to the ex-education official, would actively be involved in literacy transformation in both rural and urban centers so that majority of women can be assisted to learn how to read and write in the English language.
“We need education to be brought to our doors in the villages and in town so that the woman can learn how to read and write. We need adult education to be opened everywhere in the villages and in the town so that women gain access to education because most of the women are not educated”, Awur further told Sudan Tribune.
Ayen Kuer Ajak, an aspirant for the deputy governor’s post, argues that it was the right of women to challenge men for any position of responsibility.
“I had done a lot when I was the chairperson for Jonglei Women Association. If I am given this seat, I shall serve my fellow women and the entire communities at a larger and better capacity”, said Kuer.
Margret Achol William, a lawmaker representing Duk county, stressed the importance of involving women in efforts to attain peace and stability.
“We need peace, we need development, and without peace, development cannot come. Let us put peace as a priority so that we can make development of roads, schools and health centers”, said Achol.
According to the legislator, the ongoing consultations by the state governor with communities forms a strong foundation for planning on how to end inhuman killings allegedly carried out by criminals from the Murle ethnic group hailing from Pibor county.
(ST)