International Women's Day travels to Yei in South Sudan

8th of March, started a little different in Yei from the usual days. Much more women were seen in the streets of Yei town. Women, young and old, were marching to mark International Women's Day (IWD).

 The day started like an easy Sunday morning with seasonal sand storms hitting from the start of the event till the end. In spite of the sand storms, hundrends of Yei residents gathered in the Yei's ground (Freedom Square) to take part in the celebration of the day. Both women and men turned up for the celebration in big numbers, which made the day very colourful.

Kings College Girls School marching in Yei

International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam, Bulgaria and Southern Sudan International Women's Day is a national holiday.

The day (IWD) has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. Great unrest and critical debate occured amongst women. Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change. Then in 1908, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights.

Yesterday, the Yei International Women's Day began around 11 and ended at 6 o'clock with different sports like netball, football and tradional dances taking place across the town. Also the 'Democracy Bus' used this opportunity to pass out their message about the elections in the form of dances, puppet shows and games.

The theme for the day was, 'Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities - progress for all.' Despite the international theme, Southern Sudan and Yei in particular came up with a different theme 'Building peace through gender equality."

Colonel David Moses Lokonga

As with previous international women's days the day was officially opened by a short prayer from a church represetantitive. Both womens associations and schools (primary and secondary) founded in Yei town marched in military order through the town in order to mark the day. Many songs, dramas, poems, creative dances were perfomed by different groups including NGOs such as Malteser International. The messages in all these perfomances was to campaign for women's emancipation across Sudan. There was also a tug of war between men dignitaries and women digitaries, in which women won. To the amusement of the crowd.

An elder of Yei community, Mr. Guya Nehemiah, encouraged women to pull their socks so as to join the struggle for equity through their hard work. Mr. Guya said,"You (refering to women) should get to work. Stop 'sleeping'." He also arged the government to involve women in leadership at every level of governance.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement stipulates that women should have a 25 per cent representation in leadership at every level in the government. But will Sudan ever get competitive women to fill these positions? In response to the question, Chief Peter of Yei said, "Parents, stop the cultural practices of giving your daughters in marriage at a very young age. Take them to school instead." Adding that, "accidentally if any school girl gets pregnant, she should be taken back to school after delivering."

Honourable Agnes Kwaje : "when you educate women, you are educating a whole nation"

He advised parents to change their mindsets, since this new Sudan needs educated women. He went ahead to argue that the government should put in place a law against men who defile girls. "Such people should be put in prison for not less than seven years without bail," he added. The Commissioner of Yei also addressed the gathering on the issue.  While telling the people that he was very grateful to host the International Women's Day in Yei, he said in response to the concerns of the Yei Women Association about the rape, oppression, violance and other kinds of mistreatment aginst women and girls, the Commissioner promised to enforce the law that protects women.

The Democracy Bus playing its role on International Women's Day

He also told people that churches and NGOs are playing a significant role in developing Yei. He said, "I am very thankful for the efforts of the churches and the NGOs in helping to bring peace to Yei and the country as a whole." Adding that,"these bodies through their tremendous work are the key players."

The Commissioner then introduced the guest of honour, Honorable. Agnes Kwaje to address the gathering. In her speech Kwaje said,"stay in unity and cooperation" Kwaje condemned any practices that compromise basic women's rights. She also told all parents to take their female children to school, "In fact girls should be given more opportunities than boys in everything in order to encourage them".

Honourable Agnes Kwaje

Honourable Kwaje continued to echoe the slogan, "when you educate women, you are educating a whole nation"

Despite the fact that the population of women is bigger than men in Sudan, it is no doubt that women can have a great impact on the election results if they involved themselves. But are women informed enough about the up coming elections, since they stay at home most of the time?

In response to the question, Mr. Eric Moses, the programme manager of Resource Center Yei and 'Democracy Bus' said, "Every time we go in the communities, there are more women than men that attend the bus and ask for information. Adding that, "I think women in our area of operation have the necessary information about the elections."

Honorable however said that there are many challenges, but encouraged women to keep pressing on for their rights. "There are ups and downs, but we should not be discouraged," she added. This was followed by loud chants of, 'women oyee....'