A female SPLM Party lawmaker representing Eastern Equatoria State in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) on Thursday demanded the making of a constitution that will bring permanent peace to South Sudan.
Betty Achan Ogwaro is on a visit to Eastern Equatoria State to represent the national transformational leadership as well as the ministry of gender to ensure the reorganization of the women in the state and to brief them on constitution making, women’s leadership, and governance ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The two-day symposium brought together women from the 8 counties of Eastern Equatoria to discuss issues affecting women and finally elect their leaders after two years of a caretaking administration.
“It is very important that women are organized so that we work hand in hand with the government and the media to take the voices of women forward. Women are the peacemakers, we are tired of war in South Sudan and if there are no women, the men will go back to war, especially if women do not stand strong,” she said. “In these two days, we will discuss the constitution and the process which is now ongoing. Where are women in the constitution-making process? If your voices are not there, the constitution will be addressing male issues so the voices of women must be there. When the constitution committee comes to Eastern Equatoria, we must be on the frontline.”
Achan added: “We want a constitution that will address peace in South Sudan and we no longer want a constitution that will support disparities of the people.”
For her part, Davidika Ikai Grasiano, the caretaker leader of the Women Association in Eastern Equatoria State, said it is time to elect women who have a vision.
“I know us women are capable and strong and what is needed is teamwork, collaboration, and coordination with the government because we cannot work in isolation.” She said. “We are filling up the gaps which were supposed to be done by the government but we have taken this role and this is our embassy because this is where the government can render services to the women in the counties through the state women’s association and is where they can raise their issues to the government.”
Meanwhile, Jennifer Nabongorika Edward, the state minister of gender and social welfare, said reorganizing the women should have happened last year but was obstructed by the national gender ministry.
“This exercise is happening in all the states and administrative areas and there are some who have already finished theirs. This program is made purposely to ease the reorganization of South Sudan Women Union and I am asking you to cooperate until the elections tomorrow (Friday),” she stated. “Committed people will come for the campaign and lobby to show interest and we need peaceful and democratic elections.”
Minister Nabongorika added: “We the women should be exemplary and we do not want to pull ropes like men.”
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore urged for the inclusive reorganization of the women’s leadership that will involve grassroots women.
“If there is a program for women and youth, we do not want you to elect only those in here Torit. I need representatives to come from the ground and every program must always bring people from the grassroots because every time we the politicians in Torit always monopolize things as if we are the only people of Eastern Equatoria,” he said. “Today I want to thank women for all the work you had done in your country, South Sudan, during the liberation struggle that brought about this independence.”