South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday officiated the first-ever International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership in Juba.
The three-day conference attended by 400 local, regional, and international delegates was held at Radisson Blu Hotel under the theme “Transformational Leadership in Women, Peace, and Security.”
The forum will discuss critical issues such as women’s leadership, and governance, women’s economic governance, women and climate change, and women issues and civil society gender as well as the involvement of women at the community level.
It brought together women from different African countries including the former President of Mauritius Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of the Central African Republic, Catherine Samba, Hon. Martha Wangari Karua, Former Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister in Kenya, and other notable women leaders.
In his keynote address during the launch of the conference, President Kiir said his government was honored to host the first-ever international women’s conference in Juba.
“My government and I are proud and honored to host this international leadership conference,” Kiir said.
Kiir pointed out that the conference came at a time when both the government and partners have jointly gained momentum to empower women in the country.
“By empowerment, I mean enabling women to realize their full potential and capacity to lead and contribute nation building.”
Kiir said they fought for freedom to enable women to take an active role in nation-building and share their experiences with other women in the global society.
“During our liberation struggle, one of the principles we fought for was to free our citizens and part of this freedom was also for women to take an active role in nation-building and share their experiences with other women in the global society. This conference fulfilled that vision,” he said.
On her part, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster said the conference will empower women by sharing their life experiences of the conflict and learning from the experience of women leaders from other countries.
“This conference provides a forum for a political space for women to share their opinions in the decision-making process,” said Nyandeng. “This conference provides political space to share your powerful voices and rich experiences and create a safe space for our women at the grassroots to network with those from around the world.”