Gender Ministry Advocates for Equality and Inclusion in South Sudan’s Constitution-Making Process

By Denilson Deneki

Minister of Gender, Hon. Aya Benjamin Warille, underscored the importance of addressing gender inequality and social injustice as societal issues that transcend gender lines during a three-day workshop held in Juba. The minister emphasized the necessity for collective efforts in ensuring that all voices, particularly those of women, are heard in the ongoing constitution-making process, which is a crucial element of the country’s peacebuilding efforts.

The workshop, which convened government officials, members of the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), and international partners, is part of initiatives stemming from the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. This agreement aims to establish a more inclusive and representative legal framework that reflects the aspirations and diverse needs of the South Sudanese population.

“The constitution-making process is a nationwide initiative, demanding the participation of the entire population,” Minister Warille stated on Tuesday. She insisted that the momentum to create a representative constitution must go beyond mere dialogue; action must be taken to ensure that the process includes a varied demographic.

Despite the government’s commitment to achieving gender equality, significant challenges remain, particularly in fulfilling the 35% quota for women’s representation in governance. Current statistics show that women’s voices and perspectives continue to be underrepresented in decision-making processes, with the minister calling this a pressing issue that must be urgently addressed.

“There is a critical need to enhance the capacity of women in decision-making,” Warille pointed out. “We must ensure that the views of women, at both national and subnational levels, are effectively integrated into the constitution-making process.”

The NCRC’s workshop dubbed “Building Capacity for Inclusive Public Participation in Constitution-Making: Insights from Kenya and South Africa,” aims to cultivate a gender-responsive approach to drafting South Sudan’s permanent constitution. Dr. Riang Yer Zuor, Chairperson of the NCRC, highlighted the significance of integrating international expertise to design a constitution that truly reflects the will and rights of all citizens, including those in remote areas.

“Women must be at the forefront of this constitutional process. Their participation is non-negotiable, and we are dedicated to ensuring that this constitution resonates with every citizen,” Dr. Yer underscored.

Supporting this initiative, Dr. Rukaya Mohammed, UN Women Deputy Country Representative, reiterated the organization’s commitment to promoting women’s inclusion in the constitutional framework. “Ensuring that women’s voices are heard is fundamental to creating a robust and equitable constitution,” she said.

The NCRC plans to launch a civic education and public consultation campaign next month, encouraging citizens to actively engage in the constitution-making discourse. This initiative aims to place the South Sudanese people at the heart of the process, ensuring their perspectives are reflected in the final document.

Historically, the NCRC was established on January 9, 2012, post-independence, tasked with conducting civic education and public consultations for drafting the constitution. However, the onset of conflict in 2013 disrupted these efforts. In 2023, the commission was reconstituted as part of the ongoing peace agreement process, reaffirming the commitment to a constitution-making process led and owned by the people of South Sudan.

With the renewed focus on inclusivity and representation, these workshops mark a significant step toward crafting a constitution that genuinely reflects the diverse aspirations of all South Sudanese citizens.