women's conference in Juba May 2009. Photo/ST

 

 

 

 

(Juba NSV) July 19, 2009-Women leaders in the south have openly declared their readiness to contest for the forthcoming elections and challenge their male counterparts.

The women leaders met for a three day conference 17-19 to come up with a common agenda.

Beatrice Aber Samson.an MP from Eastern Equatoria, said as the south prepares for the elections, women will participate fully despite lack of enough formal education

She explained that the National election Commission has not done enough to give women more awareness on the forth coming elections.

It’s estimated that 97% of the south Sudan population is illiterate and of which the majority is female.

Mary Kiden, former minister of gender, social and religious Affairs said women are always ready and it will not be the first time that women will be participating in elections.

She cited the times of war when women organized themselves for the local leadership at Boma or Payam level.

Joy Kwaje, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission said women are very prepared considering the fact that they have engaged in early registration among different parties.

She added in her capacity as chairperson of human rights commission that voting is a right and any politician who tries to stop any citizens from voting will be infringing upon his or her rights.

 The conference of southern Sudan women in political parties ran for three days, ending Sunday with strategies for promoting meaningful participation of women in the forth coming elections.

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