Women in Twic East County of Jonglei State have demanded economic empowerment as they celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj during the celebrations in Panyagoor town on Tuesday afternoon, Martha Yar, the head of the Twic East Women Association, called for the empowerment of women to help them cope with the economic hardships.

“Livelihoods in Twic East County have been destroyed by the floods and women are the ones bearing the brunt,” Yar said. “So, as women, we are appealing for the establishment of a women center where adult learning programs and pieces of training in things like tailoring and knitting can take place.”

Deng Gak Atem, the acting county commissioner, admitted that women have been affected by floods-induced hardships and that the government is committed to supporting them by respecting their constitutional rights.

“As a government, it is our mandate to ensure that women get their respect and dignity and that all the past beliefs which lower the value of women are eradicated. We will ensure that all positions allotted to women go to them,” he reassured.

For his part, Robert Maker, the county Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) coordinator, said they are working with aid agencies to include women empowerment in their work.