JONGLEI – In South Sudan, harmful cultural practices have often left women and girls behind when it comes to education, employment opportunities, and political participation and representation. With the country’s first post-independence elections scheduled for 2026, however, they are determined to compete for government posts.

“I am now confident enough to venture into a sector I have always thought was reserved for men. I vow to be a political candidate in 2026,” said Ruth Kuei Makuei, a women’s rights activist in Jonglei.

Susan Aluel Gabriel, who works at the Jonglei State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, has no doubts about her “sister’s” ability to gain a seat at the political table of power.

“The key thing for us to realize is that there is nothing that can stop women from taking on leading roles in society, be it in politics or elsewhere in the public sphere. We need to, and can, break the barriers that limit our aspirations,” she said.

The morale and optimism of the two women have been boosted by their participation in a two-day capacity building workshop in Bor, facilitated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The objective of the sessions, attended by a total of 57 policymakers, legislators and women’s rights activists, was to strengthen their leadership skills and thus increase their chances of achieving more political participation and representation.

Topics discussed included the legal and institutional frameworks that protect women's rights to play their part in public decision making; political risks and strategies to mitigate them and the strategic use of media outlets for advocacy and campaigning purposes. Throughout the workshop, those in attendance shared experiences, gave each other advice and networked.

Mary Ayom Deng, a member of the Jonglei State parliament, could perhaps relate more than most to the subjects being pondered.

“In my position, I have been empowered to protect and demand the fulfillment of women’s rights, and that is something I do and take very seriously indeed,” she commented.

UNMISS is committed to contributing to the enhancement of women’s participation in politics, as this, according to Geetha Pious, Head of the peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in Jonglei, is a prerequisite not only for genuine democracy, but also for gender equality, sustainable peace and for improved security.

“When women lead the way, communities thrive. That explains our determination to support efforts to include women in South Sudan’s political and democratic processes,” she said, while also urging participants to make good use of their legal right to at least 35 per cent political representation, as stipulated in the revitalized peace agreement signed in 2018.