Exclusion of women in Lakes State in consultations on the peace process led by Inter-governmental Authority on Development had left a gap which would affect the implementation of national peace plans, women in Cueibet County, Lakes State said today.

The women were taking part in an open peace forum, organized by UNMISS in collaboration with the South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SSUNDE) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Women from civil society and school girls who attended the meeting suggested that the conflict in Lakes State should be incorporated in the national peacebuilding efforts.

Some 45 participants examined the experiences and contributions of women’s peacebuilding organizations and community women to the promotion of peace and security at national and local levels, as well as the challenges they encounter.

During a session to evaluate progress made since the last forum in November 2014, participants said there had been no improvement for women, but that the situation had instead become worse.

The women gave an example that they had no representation in decision-making in the county and added that with the exception of two female Members of Parliament, women were not in appointed to positions.

Listing early marriage and discriminatory customary laws as some of the reasons for their exclusion in decision-making, the women requested UNMISS and UN agencies to do more to raise awareness among women and build their capacity so that they can participate in leadership roles at all levels.

Raising concern about the security threat for women during communal conflicts, participants noted that there is a high incidence of sexual violence and no accountability for perpetrators resulting in impunity.

They added that proliferation of arms has damaging effects on women and girls in the county and said it was vital for disarmament in the state to be part of the national peace initiative.

Participants also said women’s access to justice is not effective and credible, claiming that security and justice institutions such as police and courts do not work in the interest of women. They gave an example that women are detained and imprisoned for crimes such as adultery while the men are not.

Other recommendations included calls for free girl child education and adult literacy programmes for women in the county, as well as abolishment of early and forced marriage.

Similar events in Lakes State will be held in Yirol West County and in Rumbek Town in December 2015.