As the world marks International Women’s Day, Radio Tamazuj caught up with and sounded out the only female governor in South Sudan, Western Bahr el Ghazal State’s Sarah Cleto Rial, who spoke about managing security in her state and girls’ education among other things.
The governor says that when she was appointed, her focus was to serve all the people of the state regardless of their different affiliations and she believes she achieved it.
“Since I assumed office, my focus has been to serve the people of Western Bahr el Ghazal and I even made it very clear that I am here to serve everyone regardless of their tribes, parties, and gender. I am not the governor of my party so I have to serve everyone equally,” she says.
Governor Cleto says she was well received but the people had high expectations of her because the state was suffering the debilitating effects of the war.
“There was a huge reception and I could see that the people had high hopes and expectations and one of the main things was that the state was affected by war and people wanted and needed stability and security. They want their lives back, so my first focus was to gather the people that I needed to work with to ensure that there is security within the state. Cleto says, “I have been working very closely with members of the security committee and I like to thank them for being cooperative which has made us work in harmony.”
“I also reached out to the commanders of the SPLA-IO to build trust and confidence between the different groups. So this work made a positive impact on the security of the state. We started working with the different parties as a government of national unity and this led to political stability in the state. It is about the approach and being responsive and listening to everyone,” she adds.
On marking this year’s International Women’s Day, she saluted the women and said efforts should be marshaled to actualize the theme this year.
“The theme this year is ‘Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow. It is a big theme and we need to ensure that we work together to make sure there is gender equality,” Governor Cleto urges, “We have to overcome the biases that already exist about women because, in our society, traditions, and cultures, women are often relegated and do not get good opportunities like men in work, business, education, etc.”
She adds: “I have been raising awareness against harmful traditions like gender-based violence and early marriages. I have also been encouraging education because it is the basis of having a sustainable future for our girls and boys as well. I am encouraging families to educate their children equally but also emphasize the education of the girl child.”
She says her efforts are now bearing fruits and the young girls want to emulate her.
“It is now impacting a lot of girls and because I am the only female governor, many girls want to emulate that and know it is possible. I believe my reaching out to women all over the state has had an impact,” She says.
An avid environmentalist, Governor Cleto also says a lot of work has to be done in areas of conservation.
“The cutting of trees without replanting will impact the climate in the future. What I am doing is to create awareness in terms of planting trees and I have supported several events with the youth to go out and plant trees,” Cleto says. “I also sensitize the people that if you cut a tree, you should plant another, but not to cut trees anyhow.”
She adds: “In areas like Jur River, people have been cutting the Lulu (Shea butter) trees. These are treasures of the state and by cutting them, we are losing resources.”
Governor Cleto says the people of South Sudan have to focus on the future by building sustainable peace, which she says is the responsibility of everyone.
“We need to uphold our security and peace and say we are not going to go back to the past but into the future,” she says.
“I also want to send a message to all our brothers, sons, fathers, and the women that let us work together to empower women, increase their capacity and make sure that they have access to resources. Let us invest in girls’ education and I want to encourage the girls to focus on their education,” Governor Cleto concluded.