8 March 2012 – A group of enterprising women demonstrated their skills with fishing nets in making their livings during a celebration today in the Western Bahr El-Ghazal State capital of Wau.

"We were trained by the fishery department in fishing, using nets and hooks," said Christina Gabriel, adding that she had earned a certificate in the occupation, which had paid her children's school fees.

The group was marching from Peace Square to Wau Stadium to commemorate International Women's Day in a procession that also included government officials, HIV/AIDS victims, street children and organized forces. Several national ministers were attending, as Wau was the focal point for this year's celebration in the country.

"I was afraid of fishing at the beginning, but now after training I am in a position to cater for myself and my children," said another woman, Roza Alfonse.

But Ms. Alfonse, on behalf of the other women, also lamented their lack of tools, including nets, hooks and gumboots, to fish properly.

Speaking at the stadium, National Minister of Agriculture Betty Achan stressed the need to educate women in eradicating hunger. "A hungry woman is an angry woman, who can even make society and the nation unstable."

With its fertile land, Wau had great potential for agriculture, Ms. Achan said, and could feed the entire population of Western Bahr El-Ghazal if people took up farming. She noted that 90 per cent of the labour force was women, who could contribute to development if trained in literacy and practical work.

Western Bahr El-Ghazal Governor Brig. Rizik Zakaria Hassan said women should contribute to nation-building through agricultural projects. If food was to be sufficient for the state's population, such endeavors should take up 10 acres per payam (township), the governor said.

National Minister of Gender and Social Development Agnes Kuaje concurred that women should empower themselves to end hunger in South Sudan, stressing that agriculture was one of the government's priorities.

But women, who made up about 60 per cent of South Sudan's population, needed support, training and proper tools to work effectively in eradicating hunger, the minister said.

She noted that the Day had been organized to recognize women's role in society, adding that "women will continue to struggle for equality and freedom".