”We Are Going Home With Renewed Minds” South Sudan Women Delegates Say As they Depart Liberia
By: Laymah Kollie
Liberia-March 30,2024: A Delegation from South Sudan comprising women parliamentarian, Civil society actors, security and governance sector experts that has been on a learning experience sharing mission in Liberia has boasted of a great knowledge gained on their trip to Liberia.
According to the delegation members, the Experience Sharing session held with other Women Politicians and CSOs in Liberia have broaden their minds with new ideas to support growth in their country.
The South Sudan Women in a press breifing Friday 29th March said, they have learned lessons from Liberia’s 2023 elections, which they intend to practice in their pending elections in South Sudan scheduled for December 2024.
They outlined: the fight of violence against Women in politics, the signing of Peace declaration during elections amongst others.
”Having drawn strength from your hospitality and bonding time on our common struggles, we would like to assure you that we are going home with renewed minds and ideas that will contribute in enhancing our preparations for the 2024 elections. May our dream for a healed Africa be realized in this lifetime in which we exist”.
On March, 25t to 29 2024, we, the South Sudanese women representatives from the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Political Parties Council, Judicial Reform Committee, National Transformational Leadership Institute/Academia, the National Press Club and Civil Society Organizations including the South Sudan Women Coalition, Women Bloc, and Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice participated in an experience sharing mission in Liberia.
The mission was organized by UN Women Country Offices in South Sudan and Liberia with funding from the Government of Norway.
It aimed at exchanging knowledge with different Liberian counterparts on Transitional Reform and elections processes, strengthening women’s movement, political participation and use of Temporary Special Measures to attain gender equality.
During their stay, the delegation met with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, National Elections Commission, Ministry of Justice, United Nations Country Team (UNCT), Women Legislative Caucus, ECOWAS Commission to Liberia, Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) and Civil Society Organisations promoting inclusive political participation.
The team also met with the Women’s organisations including the Women NGO’s Secretariat of Liberia and the Liberian Women Mass Action for Peace.
”Through experience sharing, the delegates have gained knowledge and skills on the importance of civic awareness and engagement ahead of elections; prevention of Violence Against Women before, during and after elections; the significant roles of electoral management and constitution making bodies and support needed from various actors and donors” Dr. Angela Bazugba said,speaking on behalf of the group.
Adding, ”The group has learned innovative approaches and strategies used by women and young people’s organizations to address structural barriers to women participation in public life; and tactics employed by civil society organizations in advocating for gender sensitive policies and inclusion of women in decision-making positions”
According to madam Bazugba the team recognized that violence against women in form of physical, sexual, verbal and cyber harassment during elections process remains a major challenge. As such there is a need for concerted efforts by community, government and partners to ensure that there is a conducive environment women’s participation as voters and candidates.
Meanwhile, the Delegates appreciated UN Women for the opporunity to learn and connect with Women leaders in Liberia.
”More importantly, we are immensely grateful to the government of Liberia, UN family and all stakeholders for providing a learning opportunity that has enlightened us and give more insight on how to address pertinent issues geared towards achieving a durable peace and democracy”.
South Sudan is one of the youngest countries in Africa.
