In tackling difficulties faced by women in South Sudan, UNMISS has been holding Open Peace Forums in state capitals across the country.

A forum held today Torit, East Equatoria, focused on participation of women in decision-making at all levels of government, nominating them to the top leadership and consulting women’s organizations.

UNMISS State Coordinator Hiroko Hirahara stressed that boys and girls should have equal opportunities to attend school so that they can work closely with men at high government levels.

Nasike Allan Lochul noted the country had a high incidence of rape and exploitation of children as labourers and soldiers. This needed to be rectified through sensitization in human rights and the importance of education.

“There are some communities in South Sudan with a serious background of cultural rigidity, which can not succumb to modern changes,” Ms. Lochul said.

The forum was attended by 32 women, including three member of the legislative assembly. Topic

A similar forum in the Lakes capital Rumbek discussed  peace building, security, development and women’s rights.

“We came from Lakes State’s eight counties to … (inform) ourselves so that our rights are never tampered with by anyone,” Ministry of Social Development  State Director Gender Alawiyah Enock Maciek said.

UNMISS Human Rights Officer Camilla Silva Floeistrup took participants through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), noting that it was a diplomatic process for all countries in the UN to evaluate each other’s human rights performance and give recommendations to strengthen it.

“UPR is a process that allows you women and other stakeholders, including the government, to write their human rights issues to the Human Rights Commission for further analysis and action,” Ms. Floeistrup said.

Speaking on behalf of participants, Winny Roni said women in Lakes State faced many violations of their rights and recommended positive guidelines.

“Training for women in peace building, advocacy for women’s involvement and inclusion in governance, and the enforcement of laws that govern the protection of women and children should be made a priority by the government and other partners like UNMISS,” Ms. Roni said.

In closing remarks, UNMISS State Coordinator Kwame Dwamena-Aboagye assured women that the issues they raised would be taken to New York for further contemplation.