The Eve organization, a non-governmental organization dedicated to addressing women’s issues, on Tuesday, established a male youth advocacy group known as “ADAM” in Torit town in Eastern Equatoria State.
The new outfit aims to actively address and combat gender-related challenges faced by women in the state.
The name “ADAM” is derived from the first man created by the Holy Bible and is specifically designed to advocate for women’s rights. Comprising volunteers, primarily young individuals, the group is committed to representing women’s interests in various forums, including meetings, radio discussions, and community interactions.
This initiative stems from a two-day male engagement training in Torit, which concluded on Tuesday and focused on mobilizing youth to actively contribute to bringing about positive change and advocating for women’s rights.
Taban Patrick Tiberio was elected chairperson, Assis Otulo, deputy chairperson, William Osiata, secretary, Dominic Lopir, deputy secretary, and Olibo George, finance secretary.
Additionally, the group chose Kabaka Quintous Leone, as its spokesperson, and Dominic Omilo was appointed deputy spokesperson.
Peter Lemi, the program manager at Eve Women Empowerment Organization, said ADAM was formed to bring the youth together to find ways to contribute solutions to problems affecting women.
“I am very hopeful that this group will do something. We are going to be with you and we are glad that this group will have an impact. We are your friends and we will support each other and stand by each other. So, we will do our best to support you and stand by you,” he said. “This is not going to be the last engagement we will have. There will be so many activities in which we will engage you and there is so much that we can do together.”
For his part, Taban Patrick Tiberio, the newly elected chairperson of the Adam advocacy group, expressed determination to take necessary actions in addressing women-related issues.
“I would like to say thank you for your trust in us as the body of Adam and I just want to say we are going to work together,” he pledged. “We need to see change in our state, and with the help of the Eve organization, the results will be positive.”
In support of the new initiative, Otuba Richard Stephen, a member of the group based in Torit’s Askal residential area, welcomed the initiative and said he believes that involving men in women’s issues will contribute to addressing gender gaps.
“I and the group believe that involving men in women’s issues will address gender gaps,” he asserted. “With the formation of the Adam group, let me say it was a nice one because we as men are majorly the perpetrators, and here, the major problem facing our women is early and forced marriage.”
“As the Adam group, we are going to do a lot of lobbying and advocacy to ensure that these vices come to an end,” Otuba added.
This is the third time the Eve Women Organization has formed groups to advocate for women’s issues. The most recent attempt last year ended prematurely due to a lack of commitment from members and insufficient funding to sustain their activities.