YEI WOMEN DEMANDS EQUALITY AND INCLUSION INTO GOVERNMENT

YEI- (12.02.2016) Women in Yei River state are calling on the state Government to include women leaders in the newly created state Government.

According to the women, their inclusion into the Governance and decision making processes will help in advocating for women rights, reduction of domestic violence and promote gender equality.

“We women are appealing for a post for in the new set up of the state Government. There are cases of beating and torture of women, women are not given their rights and we believe as the Government is coming closer to us, this gender based violence will be ruled out so that we feel women are recognized in this Government” says the chairperson for Morobo women association mama Hellen Abure.

On gender, mama Hellen calls for gender balance. “We should not sit alone in the Government, and we need men and women to speak all together so that the young women can feel that women can also work”

She says she would be happy if there 25% of the women that is always being talked about is reflected. “I would also be happy if women can be given an opportunity to work in the upper and the lower offices of the Government”

On women torture, mama Hellen outlined that women at the grass roots levels are still being oppressed and tortured by their husbands.

“One in which am not really happy is that; women here are being denied to eat meat until they gave birth to a male son, denied access to education, laboured with domestic work and not allowed to make decisions even at the family level. We need all these to come to an end. She remarked.

Meanwhile in Yei River County, Women have appealed for strong measures against people who abuse children’s rights in the society.

According to Yei women association chairlady Nadia Roseline, people who are found abusing child rights should be sentenced into imprisonment and heavily charged so that similar circumstances will not occur in the future.

Nadia citied that rape, killing and forceful labour among the children is recorded to be on increase in all parts of the county.

“Among other cases, we have received a case where by a seven year old young girl in Pakula quarter council was brutally rapped by a 47 year old man and the perpetrator has not been arrested till today” she pointed.

She called on the Government and development partners to build up juvenile centres to enable protection of street children.

“We have also identified that the number of street children in Yei is on increase. We have found out that many of these children are either forced by their parents to sell food and clothes in the major streets of the town without education”. She added.

On employment, Nadia appeals for women consideration into positions. “We need to see that this time we need to see that women are granted equal opportunities in the employment sector. We don’t want to see that women are demanded sex or bribery before employment” said Nadia.

The women made the appeal during a joint penal discussion organised by centre for democracy and development, a leading civil society organisation operating in Yei River state.

The organisation’s program executive director Arike Joseph Moses calls on the women to wake up and demand for their rights. He expressed on the organisation’s commitment to advocate for women representation in all processes of Governance of the state.

“We as an organisation would wish to see that women work side by side with men starting from the family, church, local and state Government so that we see a transformed society in which human rights, democracy and inclusive decisions are made towards collective National development” said mr. Arike.

However, speaking in a recent occasion organised by Yei women association, Yei River State Governor David Lokonga Moses says his Government will recognise the participation of women, youth and the disables in the socio-political and economic development of the State.

“My Fellow citizens, your Government will recognise the potentials of our women, youth and people with special needs, the Government will empower them to efficiently participate in public life. In my time of office, I would like to inform tell you that I will not entertain corruption, I will promote peace, unity, transparency and accountability” said David Lokonga Moses.

Late last year, President Salva Kiir has called on the 28 newly appointed state Governors to include women participation into the Governance of the country.

However, Yei River State Governor David Lokonga is yet to announce the composition of the state executive, and parliamentary organs of Government.