South Sudan’s women: We want our constitutional rights

Fifty women from around the state of Western Bahr el-Ghazal participated in the workshop and at its conclusion it was clear that, when it comes to the constitutional debate in this country, their views are some of the many as-yet-unheard voices on this topic.

The workshop was organised by the South Sudan Women’s Empowerment Network to explain to local women what their rights were under the Constitution.

We are trying to hold these workshops to enlighten women, so they know what the Constitution says about women’s and children’s rights,” Lillian Riziq, the head of the South Sudan Women’s Empowerment Network (SSWEN) told The Niles.

Riziq said the group planned to visit all of South Sudan’s states. Up until now they had planned for four workshops. The first has been held in Central Equatoria State, this was the second one and next they planned to go into Eastern Equatoria and Warapp states.

Many of the women who attended the workshop spoke afterwards about the things they had learned about their Constitution and how there was a need to learn more.

Catherina Athanasio, a local chief and traditional judge, said she had discovered new facts that would influence the way she passed her verdicts at the local, village court she presides over every Friday.

Another village judge, Hawa Mario Sulleiman, echoed that sentiment. I use to mistakenly judge, favouring men over women, but now I know how equal we are,” she explains.

Even the director of the Gender and Social Change department at the Ministry of Education, Naima Abbas Eido, said that she had not been completely aware of how the Constitution could affect her work.

We learnt about the Constitution,” she notes, but we need more support and we need all the women to know about, and talk about, the Constitution.”

A representative of a local mother’s group, Halima John, said that previously she was unaware of her rights. I didn’t use to do anything when a male co-worker disrespected me,” she says, but now I know what my rights are.”

And local prison worker, Regina Arkanjelo, said that she hoped that the Constitution would further clarify the rights of South Sudanese people under law, and in particular, the rights of male and female prisoners.

I would like to see the Constitution clearly explain some of the prison issues we have. For example, how can you have a male investigator deal with a female suspect, when a case involves indecent assault of some kind?”

South Sudan’s Constitution was formulated one year ago on July 9. A committee is now tasked with making any amendments and coming up with a final version, to be ratified by the South Sudanese Parliament.