The Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ), in partnership with KARAMA, on Friday launched a three-year project to promote women’s meaningful participation in the peace processes in South Sudan.
The project which is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and aims to advance women’s rights through the implementation of a peace agreement in the country was launched under the theme, “Women Participating and Influencing Peace Processes.”
Speaking during the launch in Juba on Friday, Jackline Nasiwa, the CIGPJ executive director, said the project will empower women’s participation in the country’s peace mechanisms.
“Here we are looking at how we can empower to participate in seven mechanisms of the peace agreement and this includes constitution-making process, elections, affirmative action, security sector reforms, and transitional justice process,” Nasiwa said. “This program is going to be in all the ten states of South Sudan and three administrative areas and it is going to be more of capacity building and networking and then advocacy.”
Meanwhile, Mary Ayen Mijok, the First Deputy Speaker of the Council of States, said the project will ensure women’s inclusion in decision-making as well as create awareness for their rights.
“I know that one of the objectives of this project if it is achieved, will add a lot in terms of enhancing the quality representation of women in public and across other sectors,” said Ayen.
On her part, Siv Kaspersen, the Norwegian Ambassador to South Sudan, hailed CIGPJ for initiating the project aimed at empowering women.
“I am impressed that CIGPJ, a women-led national NGO has taken this initiative to ensure that women are involved and represented in relevant decision-making processes across all ten states,” she said.