10 March 2014 - South Sudanese people across the country performed drama, ethnic songs and dances to mark International Women’s Day, which is officially observed on 8 March.

In Unity State, an event organized by UNMISS displaced women’s groups and supported by the International Rescue Committee on 7 March focused on women, youth and children seeking shelter at the mission’s base in the state capital Bentiu.

The women prepared local fried snacks for participants and children received pencils and notebooks from the Mongolian Battalion. The day closed with an outdoor cinema cartoon show.

Dancers of mixed ethnicities performed Nuer and Shiluk dances and also learned a simple Mongolian dance. Participants commented on the importance of women in South Sudan.

“Women are important for the future … because they are the ones who take care of the house and family and they are the ones who suffer during conflicts,” said Wafa Hasan Sebit. “When men run away, women take care of the children. They look for safe shelter.”

Fadwa Mohamet Koko said women were “peacemakers” who solved problems in the house. “They have this skill … women don’t keep things in their heart, they speak out … they don’t nurture grudges. If women are given the chance, maybe they can change the whole community.”

Mary Clement said the women’s day event was a band-aid on her wounds. “I often think about what had happened, all the killings. I lost everything and now I’m in the camp. These celebrations make me forget all the bad things.”

Several speakers called for greater empowerment of women during celebrations in the Warrap State capital Kuajok.

Addressing women’s groups, students, organized forces, members of parliament, government officials and international community representatives at the event, the state’s Women Union Chairperson Rose Achindel said women’s involvement in governance would help South Sudan attain sustainable peace.

Warrap State Minister of Gender and Social Development Victoria Tito Bimo urged the government to empower women from the grassroots with emphasis in the judiciary, health and education sectors.

“Education of young girls as well as economic support is (more) essential to peace in South Sudan than early marriage,” she said.

Urging parents not to neglect their responsibilities, Ms. Bimo called for legislation to hold accountable those who abandoned their children to the street.

“We know what role women played during the struggle for independence,” said Deputy State Governor Akec Tong Aleu. “Women are very crucial during this period of our crisis in the country and for the future development of the country.”

UNMISS State Coordinator Abraham Onifade emphasized that empowering women included not only involving them in governance, but respecting their rights.

In Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State, the day was observed at events held in Malek-alel in Aweil South County, as well as in Apada Returnees Camp and Freedom Square in the state capital Aweil.

More than 100 vulnerable women in Malek-alel received donations of non-food items during celebrations organized by UNMISS in collaboration with the State Ministry of Social Development, Danish Refugee Council, Norwegian Refugee Council and American Refugee Committee.

The women, who included an older blind woman, Lang Deng, received sanitary materials, blankets and plastic mats. Sanitary materials were also handed out to women at Aweil Civil Hospital maternity ward and Aweil Central Prison.

“We are happy that UNMISS and partners came to support our elderly women, widows, pregnant and lactating mothers,’’ said Abuk Deng Ngor, a representative of the local women.

UNMISS Gender Officer Joyce Kamara encouraged women to send their young daughters to school and to protect them from early marriage.

“The family that has educated girls or educated women never suffers,” she said. “Don’t take your girls out of school and send them to early marriage. You will definitely get some cows, but those are (short-lived benefits).”