Kuajok joined the world in commemorating International Women’s Day with commitment to the well being of women across the state.  During the remarks, State Deputy Governor, Santino Akot Abiem, and William Chan Achuil said peace is achievable in the country when women are educated and have been given the opportunity to develop skills and technical capacity. They assured the women that the government will do all it can to improve and cater to women’s needs including enforcement of girl-child education.

The state’s first female Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Atong Manyual Lual, urged the governor and state institutions to adhere to a woman’s right to education, health care, justice and equality before the law and voice of women to be considered in decision making. “As a female Speaker, I ensure and fight to promote gender equality in the State”, Atong stated.

UNMISS acting Head of Office, Isaac Lappia, said education for the girl-child and women are the first and primary empowerment for women. “When our women are educated, they don’t only serve as bread winners but will also contribute meaningfully to the development of the home and state”, Lappia noted.

IWD 2016 in Bentiu

09 March, 2016 - The world is celebrating International Women’s day today, and hundreds of women gathered in Bentiu town to celebrate the day calling on the UN to award its top seat of Secretary-General to woman.

Unity Political Advisor, Nyachieng Biey Tuel said, “we the South Sudanese women like the rest of the women in the world are demanding that the chair of UN Secretary- General be given to woman to confirm that women are being treated equally to men.”

Biey added, In South Sudan we want women to be given full representation in the government, and we need the current 25 percent to be increased to 50 percent.

She called on parents to send their girls to school for a better future. “If we want to change the current system in South Sudan let us all send our girls to school so that they will become a force for change in our society.”

Unity Gender Advisor, Fatna Muon Thony, also said that women are the backbone of any nation and they have a right to participate in political activity. Women to be respected and their rights need to be protected by law.  They have the right to be recognized in society like any human being. We are calling on all political leaders to give every opportunity to women and equal participation of women in political life.

A Unity senior official, John Juor Yoac, said, “The state government is committed to respect the rights of the women and we are committed to give them their rights. Let us give them all opportunities to work with us like men, let them work freely at home.”

Hiroko Hirahara, UNMISS Head of Field Office, read the message of UN Secretary-General and later stated, “UNMISS is committed to work with all stakeholders in South Sudan to promote gender equality and empowerment of women.”