The acting chairperson of the women association in Yei River County in Central Equatoria State has urged the government and humanitarian actors operating in the area to support vulnerable people in the county.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj during the celebration of International Women’s Day, Mama Hawa Adams, the acting chairperson of the women’s association in Yei said the government and the humanitarian organizations should look into and alleviate the plight of the most vulnerable people like the IDPs and returnees in the area.
“We are asking the humanitarian organizations and the government to look into the plight of those who are sleeping under houses without roofs and some of them have no food. So, we are saying that let the vulnerable be assisted so that when it starts raining, we can start cultivating our food,” she said.
Adams further called on the government to adhere to the revitalized peace agreement and to deliver services in all sectors to make life easier for citizens.
“Let our leaders come together and use the revitalized peace agreement to assure us of our safety. We are happy with the government’s initiative to work on the roads and they have to be maintained up to the feeder roads where food comes from,” Adams said. “There should be enough medication in the hospital because we have women, children, and the elderly who need medical services. This is our cry.”
Meanwhile, Oliver Ruben, the protection officer at Plan International’s Yei office, urged women to step up in taking responsibilities in government offices.
“Certain beliefs say a woman is meant to be kept at home and is supposed to do some domestic work and not get empowered,” Ruben said. “Ranging from the other sectors and the government, like in the judiciary, these are all things that women can do, only that people have not realized it. I think women need to step up and realize that and advocate for their rights.”
He added that men should respect and empower women at the household level and that there is a need for democracy and the full participation of women in government.
This year’s women’s day celebrations saw the women march around Yei town to advocate for their rights. Several activities also took place including traditional dances and female football matches played at the Yei freedom square.