9 March 2015 - South Sudan today joined the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day with a variety of activities in the country’s ten states.

About 100 women from across the Gogrial West County in Warrap State attended a roundtable discussion organized by UNMISS as part of activities to observe the day in the state.

During the discussion, aimed at highlighting challenges women face at the grassroots, participants said sexual and gender-based violence could only be stamped out of the state and country if women were involved in every fabric of the justice system.

The state’s outgoing Women Union Chairperson, Rose Acindhel, said women’s involvement in traditional leadership is essential for women’s protection.

Noting paramount chieftaincy as some of positions women need to head, Ms. Acindhel explained that having women in these positions would assist in ensuring that vulnerable women and victims of heinous sexual crimes are able to speak out.

“Women are not free to express themselves before men on these sensitive issues,” she said. “Male traditional judges also inflict wounds on the very affected women whilst in their custody… The current traditional court system is a recipe for rape and other forms of gender based violence.”

In the Upper Nile State capital Malakal, UNMISS organized a panel discussion with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) seeking shelter at the protection site on the mission’s base.

Speaking during the discussion, UNMISS State Coordinator Deborah Schein said when women come together, they can draw from each other’s strength.

“Unity is strength,” she said. “We will only achieve our goals if we unite and gather our strength. This is the best way to move forward.”

Participants focused on issues like gender-based violence, early marriage, girls’ rights to education, participation of women in the ongoing peace process and more presence of women in leadership roles.

Women from other countries who experienced war also gave their testimonies and shared with the IDPs how women united themselves to fight for their rights.

Participants also said there is need for traditional leaders to revisit some of the practices that discriminate against and suppress women.

“Discrimination and suppression of women and girls starts (at) the family level,” said Mary Gordon Otoh. “Boys are registered for school while girls are left at home to do house work and later become housewives… We should change this.”

Still in Upper Nile State, UNMISS, the Danish Refugee Council and the UN Refugee agency organized another event at the Dethoma refugee camp in Melut County.

“You are the solid ground on which the unity of this nation stands,” said by Melut County Commissioner Dau Guoch Ayuel. “Enjoy your day through spreading the word of peace and reconciliation to our community who hardly affected by this ongoing crisis.”

State Gender and Social Welfare Advisor Elizabeth Abuk commended women for their care and their effective roles in the community and called for more opportunities for education for girls.

Daniel Deng Kiir, Dethoma Refugee Camp chairman also appreciated the role of women in peace and reconciliation processes especially in protection sites.

“Women’s, on many occasions, have shown us leadership especially in the matters related to quelling down the disputes among different communities … in South Sudan,” he said.

Events in the Unity State capital Bentiu were aimed at raising awareness of how women’s rights can be violated during conflict.

The day was marked with a workshop for women, awareness events for students and Catholic Church congregation, as well as marching through the UNMISS protection sites with messages highlighting the rights of women.

“Women should not close their eyes to abuses and violations of their rights,” said UNMISS Human Rights Officer Samuel Mutungi.

In Jonglei State, UNMISS organized celebrations at the Freedom Square in the state capital Bor, attended by women from all walks of life.

Acting State Governor Ustaz Baba Medan and UNMISS State Coordinator Hazel de Wet presented a certificate from the mission to the State Minister for Parliament, Susan Lith Aluong, in recognition of her role in empowering women and girls in the state.

“To be a great leader and ruler, there must be a great and wonderful woman behind you because without the women, nothing can be achieved,” said Mr. Medan.

He called upon women to promote peace and stability in the state and the country, adding that women are homemakers and good homes breed good states and countries.

A joint UNMISS team also held events in three schools in Bor and held discussions with nearly 2000 students on issues like girl-child education, roles in schools and homes as well as the UNMISS mandate.

The main ceremony in the Northern Bahr El-Ghazal capital Aweil, included presentation of certificates of recognition to 10 women leaders in the state for their role in promoting peace, social development and peaceful coexistence.

The State Minister of Social Development, Ajak Michael Akok, commended UNMISS and other partners for organizing and recognizing the role played by women in the state affairs.

“A woman is a great human (who) does multiple tasks (as a) mother and grandmother, sister (and) cousin,” she said. "She is the head of the house and … a leader in her community as well as the country. We must work hard to achieve a social development of the women in our state.”

UNMISS State Coordinator Koliab Nahataba noted that women continued to bear the brunt of the conflict in South Sudan.

“We have to re-rededicate our efforts in not only recognizing these women, but moving forward with an agenda of bringing perpetrators to book (as well putting in place) resources that will meaningfully change the lives of women in South Sudan,” he said.

Western Bahr El Ghazal State organized a colourful event in Nyinakok town of Jur River County with several activities including drama on women’s right to education and an exhibition of hand-made crafts made by women from the county.

“Women have a (big role) to play in accelerating the peace and development of the country,” said Deputy State Governor Brig. Gen. Zakaria Joseph, who also reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting and protecting women’s rights.

Speaking at the dialogue forum in the Eastern Equatoria State capital Torit, UNMISS State Coordinator Hiroko Hirahara said it was great to see that there four women state ministers in the state government. She however called for more education for girls.

“I don’t come from a rich family in Japan, but my determination to work for United Nations and the support to my education from my parents has made me what I am today, so make it happen,” she said.

Deputy State Governor Jerome Gama Surur said women and men were meant to be equal, but men had created the division. He stressed that the state government was committed in supporting women and to ensure that girls go to school.

“On behalf of Eastern Equatoria men, I wish to say that we are sorry for all that happened negatively to our women in the areas of early and forced marriages,” said Mr. Surur. “The state government highly condemns this negative practice now.”

The day was crowned with a dinner party at the State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore’s residence, where male ministers helped prepare the food in honour of women.