WES women denounce violence, call for peace, unity
The women made the call during the annual International Women’s Day celebration held in Yambio Freedom Square on Saturday.
By Emmanuel Mandella
Women in Western Equatoria State have strongly condemned the recent violence in the State and called for peace and unity among citizens.
The women made the call during the annual International Women’s Day celebration held in Yambio Freedom Square on Saturday.
The event was celebrated under the global theme, “Empowering Women and Girls to Promote Equality, Safety, and a Healthy Environment.”
This year’s celebration brought together women from across the state to highlight their contributions to peace and development, while calling for stronger support from the government and stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Fozia Abash Barnaba, the Chairlady of Western Equatoria State Women Union, emphasized the urgent need for peace to enable women to farm, engage in economic activities, and educate their children.
She lamented the ongoing conflicts in the state, saying that it hinders women’s ability to contribute to the state’s economic growth.
“Women are the backbone of our society. Without peace, we cannot farm or engage in businesses to support our families,” Ms. Abash said.
“We urge all conflicting parties to embrace peace so that women can freely carry out their daily activities,” she added.
She further called on the government, donors, and well-wishers to support the construction of a Women’s Union Center, a space where women can gather to discuss pressing issues and promote peace building initiatives in the state.
“Our Union is newly established, but we lack the necessary funds to organize events and sustain our programs. We need a dedicated center where we can work together to empower women and advocate for our rights,” Abash explained.
However, Yambio County Commissioner Mbiko Barakati praised women for their roles in maintaining stability in the community, describing them as water which is essential for life.
He commended their resilience and discipline, highlighting that women have largely remained uninvolved in criminal activities.
“For the past three years, men have been leading in criminal activities, while women have remained peaceful. I urge our women to be strong advisors to their men, guiding them away from crime and toward productive lives,” Mbiko said.
The Acting State Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, Grace Apollo, who also serves as the State Minister of General Education and Instruction, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting women, as she acknowledged the challenges women face in WES, including gender-based violence, economic marginalization, and limited access to education and healthcare.
“Women continue to bear the brunt of violence and economic hardship. The government is working to implement policies that empower women and protect them from all forms of discrimination. We encourage women to take leadership roles and be active in decision-making processes,” Minister Apollo stated.
Despite their contributions to peace and development, women in Western Equatoria still face numerous challenges, including limited economic opportunities as many struggle to access capital for businesses and for farming due to financial constraints.
Also, gender-based violence remain prevalent, affecting women’s ability to thrive and education barriers, which has led many girls to drop out of school due to early marriages, cultural norms, and financial difficulties.
