-       Excellencies 

-       Honourable Members of Parliament 

-       Distinguished Guests 

-       Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning to you all! 

1.   I would like to commend the organisers for this timely and relevant workshop as South Sudan prepares for elections to choose its leaders, reflecting the democratic aspirations of its people as enshrined in the Revitalised Peace Agreement. I am happy to see that women leaders were accorded a separate meeting, as this will provide a conducive environment for the exploration of gender sensitive options under the theme “Uniting for a Peaceful Political Transition and Elections in South Sudan”. The gathering of women leaders together for this important task also gives credence to the key role that women play and must continue to play in the implementation of the peace agreement. It further gives recognition that indeed the meaningful inclusion of women leads to more durable peace and development. 

2.   In the year 2000, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted the landmark UNSC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. This resolution urges member states to ensure the prevention of conflict against women, promote the protection of women during conflicts, and ensure the participation of women in conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction of their communities. This resolution further urges member states to increase the representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional, and international institutions. South Sudan became a member of the United Nations after its independence in 2011 and endorsed UNSC Resolution 1325.

3.   The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance adopted in 2004 to which South Sudan ratified in 2014, requires political parties to create the necessary conditions for full and active participation of women in the decision-making processes and structures at all levels as a fundamental element in the promotion and exercise of a democratic culture.  It further requires political parties to take all possible measures to encourage the full and active participation of women in the electoral process and ensure gender parity in representation at all levels, including legislatures.

4.   This therefore calls for women to develop strategies that will enable them to get involved and establish their roles throughout the peace process, the  elections period and generally in the social political and economic reconstruction of the society. Women must be enabled to participate in all political spheres including the transition process. Their inclusion must not be superficial but of such a nature that tangibly impacts the lives of women and girls. It  is therefore time to recognize the role and power of women in the peace-process and in shaping the future of post-conflict South Sudan. 

Distiquished Ladies and Gentlemen

5.   Women in South Sudan make up more than 50% of the population but don’t fair well in terms of representation at the political level, be it at the Executive, state, county or any other level. In the course of monitoring the Peace Agreement during the Transitional Period, RJMEC noted that, overall, the appointments to the Executive fell short of the required minimum of 35% women’s representation as provided for in article 1.4.4 and 1.12.5 of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R–ARCSS). In the most recent appointments to reconstitute the election related institutions, women got 33% in National Constititution Review Commission, 22% in the National Electoral Commission and 50 % in the Political Parties Council. Only the Political Parties Council (PPC) met the minimum threshold expected by the Revitalized Agreement; not to mention that there is only one female governor out of ten in the Country.

Consequently, I would like to underscore the importance of gender inclusion and mainstreaming in all aspects of the peace process and more importantly in political leadership. It is imperative to ensure deliberate and conscious consideration of women in all political and institutional  processes and in accordance to the Agreement mandated minimum threshold level of 35%, as this is a fundamental and key requirement in reducing inequalities.

6.   Women have borne the brunt of politically motivated violence (including sexual and gender based violence) during conflict and many a times get targeted solely due to their gender. Women face a myriad of many challenges such discrimination due to the culture of patriarchy, lack of awareness on political processes, low literacy levels and lack of support to compete for leadership positions. Women politicians need to be empowered economically, in order to compete on equal footing with men. Without sound economic support women cannot compete in an uneven environment where the wealth is basically monopolized by the few who are predominantly men. It also requires political leadership, strong legislation and effective mechanisms to force compliance, along with extensive education and awareness-raising in the community and in the media and other spaces.

7.   On the other hand and with all due respect, women should not hesitate to use existing post-conflict opportunities to enhance their political influence; they should leverage women's networks, other networks and organizations to gain access to political opportunities; they should maximize the exisiting opportunities to challenge gender biased systems and push for the review laws and policies that undermine their positions; they should persuade and push for strong women leaders to take up the leadership mantle and drive the right agenda forward. Women should strive to learn the rules of the game, which unfortunately are based on male connotations. They should also consider identifying and aligning with male allies who are supportive of women empowerment objectives to champion their cause. 

8.   This notwithstanding, political parties must still play their role in ensuring the substaintive political representation and participation of women in various way including through the adoption of decisive and effective strategies and practices. Parties must provide opportunities for women in the process of political decision-making, through adaptation of appropriate legal, administrative and procedural rules, regulations and codes of conduct, that would enable the parties to meet such noble objectives. While women's space at the decision-making tables, during the post-conflict reconstruction efforts, has historically been absent or marginal, today an increasing numbers of women and women's groups are realizing the significance of their active participation and contribution to the peace process.

Distiquished Ladies and Gentlemen

9.   This workshop therefore provides renewed opportunity to reflect on the challenges women face in the electoral political space and propose lasting solutions. The Revitalized  Peace Agreement sees women as central players and proposes the mainstreaming of gender and women  enhancing representation in responsibility sharing. The Agreement expects women to be provided opportunity and are  expected to serve at all levels of governance.

10.        As you deliberate, I would like to suggest that in your deliberations you consider regional standard and best practices such as international human rights instruments like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), on the Rights of Women in Africa commonly referred to as the Maputo Protocol which call for gender equality and women’s meaningful participation in the political, economic and social-cultural spaces. Additionally, consider borrowing from domestic legal frameworks including the Permanent Ceasefire of the R-ARCSS that seeks to address and prevent violence against women in the Transitional Period. 

11.        In conclusion, I am hopeful that your efforts here today will inform  the eventual codes of conduct which I believe are essential tools in regulating all actors during the elections period, and will help protect women in all phases of the electoral process, increase women participation for the democratic process as well as address the conflict targeted at women for whatever reasons. 

12.        To the women leaders of South Sudan, I wish to encourage you to continue the good fight for justice and inclusion. Your demands for inclusion should be seen as part of the long arch of the moral universe that always bends towards truth, justice and freedom. May your efforts resoundingly impact the current and future generations of women that will follow in your footsteps in the quest for a better South Sudan.

13.        I wish you fruitful deliberations. I also wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2024 !

I Thank You!