A women group in Bor town of Jonglei State is urging the government to abide by the 35 percent affirmative action as provided for in the 2018 peace deal by allocating more leadership positions to women in the state.
The group made the call in a petition submitted to the Jonglei State government last Friday.
“As women in Jonglei, we are demanding that our 35 % affirmative action be granted to us. If we do not ask for what belongs to us, no one will consider our rights. So, as women from all the parties under the umbrella of the women association, we are calling on all the parties to consider affirmative action,” Fatuma Musa Ajak, the head of Jonglei State Women Association (JSWA) said.
Another petitioner, Victoria Yom, said while women were appointed as ministers, the allocation has fallen short of the required quota because more women are capable of holding leadership positions.
“We are demanding for our rights of having an advisor, 19 women in parliament, and women as commissioners at the state level. If you look around, there are more women with leadership skills, and of course, they need to exercise it,” she said.
For her part, Veronica William Deng, the state information minister, admitted that women are underrepresented in the state, and urged them to engage the leadership of the various peace partners for their share.
“As the state, we consider women's rights but the problem lies with the parties. I encourage the rest of the women not to give up. We must continue demanding for our rights because we can do any work,” she said.
The revitalized peace agreement provides for a 35% quota for women’s participation in the transitional government. South Sudanese women hope this key provision will be a catalyst for change in the country.