26 November 2014 - It was vital for South Sudanese women to acknowledge they had a crucial role to play in peace building, Upper Nile State Minister for Gender and Social Welfare Maria Kwijwok said today.

Ms. Kwijwok was speaking at an open peace forum organized by the UNMISS Gender Unit in the protection site at the mission’s base in the state capital Malakal.

“We women have a very important role to play in the peace and reconciliation process,” she said. “We should always remember that.”

The minister urged all women’s groups in the state to mobilize themselves and send clear messages she would then address at a higher political level.

Some 46 women and four men from the protection site attended the forum, which UNMISS Gender Officer Patricia Paul said was designed to review progress on recommendations agreed at the last forum held in 2012.

Ms. Paul said the forum was also intended to provide a platform for participants to identify mechanisms for peace building within the protection site.

In his remarks, UNMISS Acting State Coordinator Hastings Amurani-Phiri linked the forum’s objectives to UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which focuses on women, peace and security.

“Security Council Resolution 1325 aims at promoting women’s involvement and contribution to peace building, women’s protection and security issues as well as women’s participation at the all levels of the decision-making processes in their societies,” he said.

More than 40 women attended a similar event in the Eastern Equatoria State capital Torit, which aimed to raise awareness about the Security Council resolution, and to evaluate progress made and challenges faced in implementing it.

“Women are not included in decision-making processes in the payams, bomas and even the family and that’s a big problem,” said Angela Achiro Onorio, a Member of Parliament. “We’ve seen some improvements at the national and state levels, but at local government and traditional levels, it’s still a problem.”

Lucy Quinto, another participant, stressed the need for women to condemn those involved in violent acts.

“We need to come out strongly in condemning perpetuators of violence regardless of our relationship with them,” said Ms. Quinto. “Some women condone violence in their communities because it is perpetuated by either their husband or male relative. It is sad that some of us celebrate the violent conduct of our male relatives.”

At the end of the forum, participants recommended that the government should boost efforts to enforce existing laws and come up with new ones that would empower and protect women.

They also formed a new body, the Community Peace Dialogue Forum, which will support implementation of Resolution 1325 and other recommendations made by women in the state.

Opening another forum in the Lakes State capital Rumbek, the state’s Security Advisor Marial Amoum Male pointed out the important role women had played in the struggle for independence and their continued role in peace building.

“Peace and security is everybody’s responsibility,” he said. “We have to focus on the development of women, so they can participate in the decision-making process.”

At a forum In the Warrap capital Kuajok, participants said realizing resolution 1325 would be impossible without tougher legislations and women’s empowerment. They called on the state government and international community to assist community based organizations (CBOs) in carrying out sensitization campaigns across the state.

UNMISS Acting State Coordinator Leda Limann urged civil society to advocate for women’s rights in the state, especially their participation in decision making. “There must be equal rights for both women and men in the communities.”

According to state Minister for the Social Development Victoria Tito, women in different areas had been abused, even killed in some cases. “This can only be stopped by a well-structured judicial system. I challenge you here today to be ambassadors for change.”

Adior Kuol Amuom, the state gender advisor, appealed to UNMISS and other partners to extend their training to counties and bomas (town areas). “GBV need more awareness (raising) to be done.”

The forum was organized by UNMISS Gender Unit and funded by UN Women. Participants included representatives from civil society, CBOS, women’s rights advocacy groups in the state.

Calling for peace in the country, some 50 women from all five counties in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal state attended a forum at the UNMISS base in the state capital Aweil.

Acting State Minister for Social Development Lual Dau Marach assured participants that peace will return to the country soon. He urged them to remain peaceful with the families of those who have joined the SPLA in Opposition.

UNMISS State Coordinator Koliab Nahataba commended women in the state for prioritizing peace and security.

“We do recognize your efforts to promote peace in your communities,” he said, adding that he agreed with those who say that women bear the brunt of war.