A national non-governmental organization, Lukluk Community Agency For Development (L.CAD), with support from the UN Women has launched a six-month security sector gender mainstreaming project in Warrap State.
The project launched on Thursday is aimed at making security sector institutions more responsive to gender issues and encouraging the inclusion of female security officers in decision-making in Warrap State and Abyei Administrative Area.
More than 50 representatives from the security sector and civil society attended the launch.
"The gender mainstreaming reform in the security sector is a countrywide project. It is financially supported by UN Women with USD 78,400 and for this case in Warrap, it will cover Abyei Administrative Area and four counties in Warrap state like Tonj South, Tonj North, Gogrial West, and Twic except Tonj East and Gogrial East Counties," Abel Amet Amet, the L.CAD Executive Director told Radio Tamazuj. "Gender mainstreaming reform in security sector doesn't mean to make changes in security sector but to involve female professionals who are in uniforms for security decision-making process so that our community gets peace and stability through inclusive security serves delivery."
For his part, Warrap State Acting Commissioner of Police who was representing all regular forces Lt. Col. Andrea Mabil Machuol says security forces and especially female personnel face many challenges while executing their duties.
"If there are recruitments for all organized forces like police consider female and there are a lot of them in police stations but some of the challenges can't be resolved in workshops and training. Lack of communications equipment and vehicles hinders the work of female police. Governments and organizations should support the police with necessary needs," he said.
Rhonda Bhong, the child protection officer for Veterinary Sans Frontier Germany (VSF-Germany), says women and children are the most affected people during conflicts, and women should be involved in the protection of the vulnerable.
Warrap State Civil Society Organization Alliance (WASCA) Secretary-General William Mabior Achuil called on the state government to support the initiative which he says will enhance the security sector's role to protect the people.
"I urge the government to support L.CAD to implement this project and even us CSO we are also supporting government where there is need. Organizations are coming in and helping the government do what is supposed to be done by the government like gender mainstreaming is the work of state government to ensure that women are empowered but because of setback, L.CAD has taken over as partner," he said.
Meanwhile, the acting Governor who is the Minister of information Riing Deng Ading acknowledges the work of community organizations while expressing optimism that the project will positively impact the state.