Baseline Validation Concludes with Calls for 35 Women Affirmative Action in Politics and Peace Building in South Sudan

By Fuli Dickens Isaac

A one-day Baseline validation on 35 women affirmative action organized by UN Women in Juba concluded on Thursday, gathering women parliamentarians from different constituencies to deliberate on the importance of advancing women’s participation in political and peace-building processes in South Sudan.

In her key remarks during the event, Tereza Chol Aguek, a member of parliament representing Abyei Administrative Area in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, emphasized the need for the government to implement the 35 women affirmative action in political and peace-building initiatives. She highlighted how women are often marginalized by men, lacking the necessary representation and decision-making power in the country.

Echoing this sentiment, Nyanchiek Nhuil, another member of parliament representing Jonglei state, urged all women to unite and push for the implementation of the 35 women affirmative action in the country’s constitution. Nyanchiek expressed her commitment to advocating for women’s rights and increased representation in parliament.

The Baseline consultant, Mulubi Asiligwa, stressed the importance of sensitizing women at the grassroots level about the 35 percent affirmative action, aiming to empower them to actively participate in politics and peace-building efforts in South Sudan. Mulubi affirmed that UN Women and UNDP would collaborate closely to address the challenges faced by South Sudanese women at the grassroots level, emphasizing the need for women to assert their presence across all levels of government.

As discussions wrapped up at the validation event, there was a collective call for concerted efforts to ensure that women are adequately represented and involved in decision-making processes, marking a significant step towards achieving gender equality and promoting sustainable peace in South Sudan.