WOMAN LEADERSHIP AND POLITICALPARTICIPATION

While the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS) as amended provides for a minimum of 25 percent and the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) 2018 – a minimum of 35 percent women’s participation in governance, the implementation of these provisions remain inconsistent. Women are still underrepresented in many sectors of government and in key decision making positions. This is attributed to the patriarchal nature of the political system and the lack of political will to translate existing policies and laws into action.

To stir the country towards sustainable peace and development, there is a need to deliberately exert effort to enhance women’s leadership, develop mechanisms to empower women politically and raise awareness among young women and men on the importance of gender equality in nation building processes. The participation of women in decision-making is not only recognition of their rights but is fundamental to aspiring democracies such as South Sudan.

Under this program, Eve organization runs a number of projects such as strengthening the capacity of women political leaders at both national and sub – national levels. The organization further fronts the advocacy on engendering policies and legal frameworks and space creation for women.

Eve Organization has since 2008 tirelessly worked for women’s participation in the Sudan Census (2008), the Sudan Elections (2010) and the South Sudan Referendum (2011) resulting to the independence of South Sudan. The organization further pioneered the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 in South Sudan through awareness raising, coordinating the CSOs working group on UNSCR 1325 and actively worked with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare in the development of the South Sudan National Action Plan on the UNSCR 1325 (2015 – 2020).

In 2018, the organization launched the Incubator – Young Women Leadership program as an initiative to build the new generation of women leaders. The incubator is a practical learning experience that instills in young women a sense of nationalism and empathy while developing their capacities through a series of mentorship sessions. Eve will launch the Incubator as a nationwide program in 2020.

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