8 July 2015 - By launching the “HeForShe” campaign, UNMISS was becoming part of a global movement recognizing that everyone had a role in achieving gender equality, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) Moustapha Soumaré said in Juba today.

Mr. Soumaré was speaking at an event to launch the campaign, which is championed by UN Women and aims to mobilize one billion men and boys worldwide as advocates and agents of change in ending persisting inequalities faced by women and girls globally.

“The campaign being launched today is not about ‘the powerful protecting the weak’, as women have proven that they can be just as powerful,” he said. “The campaign recognises that men also suffer the effects of gender inequality and have an important role to play in overcoming the inequality challenges.”

Noting that gender equality is central to unleashing sustainable development, the DSRSG stressed that there were still many challenges to overcome before this potential can be realized.

He listed inequality in education, where boys were twice as likely as girls to be enrolled in secondary school, and much more likely to finish school, as well as challenges in healthcare.

“Being pregnant remains one of the greatest threats to a woman’s life in Africa in general and in South Sudan in particular, with one in seven women dying from pregnancy and childbirth complications,” he said. “This affects South Sudan’s sons as well as daughters. More ‘HeForShes’ joining the advocacy efforts of women to improve
maternal healthcare could also change this situation.”

In a press release issued after the event, visiting UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said inclusion and full participation of women’s voices were essential in the quest to achieve sustainable peace.

She said UN Women continued to be concerned that women and children were bearing the brunt of conflict in South Sudan.

“Protection of women and girls from violations like sexual and gender-based violence is not optional,” she added. “It is a necessity. It is a pre-requisite for peace.”

Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka commended South Sudanese women for their resilience and determination in pushing for peace through their engagement in peace talks.

“I applaud the women of South Sudan because they have crossed the political, ethnic and religious boundaries to come together with one agenda,” she said.

The top UN Women official said she was encouraged by the strong commitment expressed by South Sudan’s government to work towards peace and nation building.

She reiterated, however, that all parties must ensure women’s participation in peace negotiations.