Political leaders in South Sudan have been told they will face consequences if they fail to include enough women in senior roles, as a new assessment reveals stark gender imbalances.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Political Parties Council (PPC), Lorna James Elias, issued the warning at a workshop in the capital, Juba, on Thursday. She said a new digital registration system would be used to track whether parties are complying with legal quotas for female representation.
Her remarks came during the validation of a nationwide gender assessment of political parties, supported by UN Women.
“If you don’t have women, you’re in trouble,” Mrs Elias told representatives from the country’s 29 registered parties. “Begin to look for women not just as voters but as candidates.”
The assessment found that women remain severely underrepresented in party leadership. Only 6.5% of party chairpersons are women, and most secretary-general positions are held by men.
South Sudan’s transitional constitution mandates a 25% quota for women, while the 2018 revitalised peace agreement sets a target of 35%.
“Look at the streets of Juba. It is the women who keep families together despite the challenges,” Mrs Elias said.
“If we can keep the family intact, can we not also keep the country? We are only asking for partnership.”
She urged parties preparing for planned elections in December 2026 to “talk to women nicely,” joking that women’s votes “are going to be very expensive this time.”
The PPC’s Secretary General, Dr Peter James Lemi, asked parties to accept the findings as “true and scientific” and to understand their weaknesses to improve.
The PPC is the official state regulator mandated to oversee the country’s political party system. Its core functions include registering and deregistering political parties, enforcing compliance with national laws.
The body also plays a critical role in preparing the political landscape for elections by promoting internal party democracy, civic education, and adherence to the country’s peace agreements. Analysts view the PPC’s capacity to function impartially as a key indicator of the credibility of planned elections, now scheduled for December 2026.
A ‘significant milestone’
UN Women’s Country Representative, Delphine Serumaga, hailed the validation of the report as “a significant milestone” that would guide targeted reforms.
She acknowledged progress, including the appointment of two female vice-presidents, but noted women still hold only 32.4% of seats in the national legislature and remain below the quota in executive and party leadership.
Ms Serumaga urged parties to address the “systemic barriers” hindering women, stressing that UN agencies and international partners would continue supporting efforts to expand women’s political rights and end violence against women in politics.
Costanza Lucangeli, Deputy Chief of the UN Integrated Electoral Assistance Team, said women’s participation should be seen as a strategic advantage that strengthens decision-making.
She warned that political parties often play a major role in election-related violence globally, and that stronger women’s representation could help reduce tensions ahead of South Sudan’s first national elections.
International backing
Ines Narciso, Programme Manager for Governance Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Juba, reaffirmed the bloc’s strong support, calling women’s political participation “a cornerstone of a thriving democracy and a peaceful nation.”
She emphasised that empowering women was essential for sustainable peace, equitable development, and stronger democratic institutions.
Ms Narciso highlighted the barriers women face, including cultural norms, limited education, and systemic inequality. She outlined EU support to strengthen women’s leadership, create platforms for dialogue, and promote policy reforms for equal representation.
She said the PPC played a pivotal role and the workshop provided the “objective, factual picture” needed to shape actionable recommendations. The 35% quota “is not just a number,” she said, but represented voices that must be heard in shaping public policy.
“We have stood with you, we stand with you today, and we will continue standing with you,” Ms Narciso concluded, calling on all partners to work towards a future where women “lead, inspire and drive transformation.”
The validation workshop brought together party representatives, civil society, traditional and youth leaders, disability advocates, faith-based groups, and international electoral experts.