South Sudan Women Empowerment Network

We Southern Sudanese women are deeply shocked at the sudden and untimely death of our beloved leader, Dr. John Garang De Mabior, and stand in solidarity with our fellow Southern Sudanese in the mourning of this great national loss. We extend our condolences to Madame Rebecca, her children and extended family members, to all the leaders and close associates of Late Dr. Garang, members of SPLM/SPLA, and all Southern Sudanese in the Sudan and abroad.

We remember Dr. Garangs struggle and determination to build a New Sudan where all peoples, regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, religious beliefs, or political affiliation, enjoy equitable benefits of a united, democratic, and peaceful state. As a legacy to Dr. Garangs vision and achievements we stand united and urge all the Southern Sudanese to support the roadmap charted in the CPA to ensure prosperity to our citizens.

We wish to convey our unreserved support to your Excellency Mr. Salva Kiir, as our new Commander in Chief of the SPLM/A, First Vice President of the Sudan, and President of South Sudan as you take over the responsibilities of implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and leading South Sudan to the path of peace. Despite being saddened by this tragic circumstance, we, the Southern Sudanese women vow to continue with Dr. Garangs vision and the support of our leaders.

With the recent signing of the CPA, the Sudanese nation reached a pivotal moment of structuring a government that represents all people. Despite the tragic incident of Dr. Garangs death, we want to keep our hopes alive and look forward to smooth implementation of the CPA. Our shock is not over and our tears still pouring, yet we pray to the Almighty God to give us patience, resilience to continue building our nation.

This period also brings us together to remember and honor all our martyrs and those who made our dreams come true. We acknowledge and celebrate the unique contribution of women in the liberation struggle and, as Dr. Garang had advocated, we want this to mark the end of women being treated as slaves and subordinates, in his words The Marginalised of the Marginalised. We believe that women have been besieged by violence and the most abused segment of the Sudanese society during the struggle for peace, regardless of where they were in the country, and have experienced the horrific crimes of rapes, murders, capturing into slavery, and imprisonment.

Women have suffered immeasurably and we believe that this is the time that women must step out of this darkness, raise their voices and concerns and be empowered to address all discriminatory issues. To resolve issues of women discrimination in future we want to work hand in hand with our male counterparts and get involved in all aspects of decision-making, in the writing of laws and most importantly in the implementation of these laws to ensure justice for all including justice for women. Womens participation is essential and we believe that women of today are capable to represent the society.

We are equally concerned that there is a misrepresentation of women in the current caretaker government and hope that this will be corrected in constituting the coming cabinet formation, both in the National and States Government formation levels. We ask that the representation of women should be in alignment with the SPLM policy of 25\% female representation at all levels. These are venues where we can voice women concerns, and redress any injustices. We want assurance to eliminate the continuance of treating women as second-class citizens. It is imperative that the role of women is never diminished. We insist that women have the opportunity to play major role in the political and economic life of the Sudan. The participation of women at the leadership level is extremely crucial for building democracy and safeguarding human rights.

Your Excellency Mr. President Salva Kiir you are the only Guarantor for Inclusion of Women in Influential Positions in the New Government of Sudan/South Sudan. The question of women is a concern to all society and we believe that a peaceful state cannot be achieved without representation of women who constitute more than half of our nations population. We salute all the women who fought for our rights throughout the two decades of struggle and we believe women are capable to participate politically and economically in the government and civil structure and together continue fighting for womens rights while serving the country. Having said all of the above, we specifically advocate that you Mr. President Salva Kiir nominate a female to the position of (Second) Vice President of the Government of South Sudan; this would enhance the image of women empowerment in South Sudan.

In addition, we respectfully call that all the seats assigned to women be filled by women and ensure that women compete and are appointed throughout all levels of National, States, and local government. Our aspiration is to ensure that the representation of women increases so that together we will make possible societal changes on behalf of our struggle and in terms of the existing laws and legitimizing female perspective. It is our utmost belief that many women have the qualifications, education, leadership skills, and commitment to human rights that is needed by our government now and in the years ahead.