South Sudan Launches National Action Plan 2015-2020 On UNSCR Women’s Right

By Jok P Mayom

JUBA, 11 May 2016 [Gurtong]- The 31 page-document was launched at Juba Grant Hotel by the Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare Awut Deng Acuil and Deputy Special Representative of the United Nation Secretary General (DSR-UNSG) in South Sudan, Mr. Eugene Owusu attended by other dignitaries.

Hon. Awut said the purpose of the document is to increase participation of women in crisis prevention, conflict management and post-conflict periods adding that the government is committed to gender equality and improving the status of all women and girls including those with disabilities.

“Special measures have already been taken by the government to increase the participation in leadership and decision-making and an affirmative action provision for 25% representation of women is contained in the Transitional Constitution of Republic of South Sudan, 2011” she noted.

“This plan provides a comprehensive and coherent approach to implement all provisions of the UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security” she said.

Amongst other line ministries that contributed to the document includes; Defense,Justice, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Health, Education, National Security, Labor, Information and Various State ministries.

Mr. Eugene, DSR-UNSG said, “The launch of this NAP will for long endure as the defining moment in which the leaders of this country unequivocally committed not to be judged on the peace process merely by the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity, but also by its commitment to the quality of women’s life and the dignity of its people”.

“The NAP is a vital opportunity for South Sudan and all of us as stakeholders to reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 in order to reduce the terrible impact of conflict on women and girls and ensure that they can play their rightful part in ending wars and bringing lasting peace in South Sudan” Eugene said.

 “Fighting for women’s rights is therefore a just and right struggle. And you can certainly count on my support.”

Eugene said the United Nations Security Council adopted the historic resolution 1325 Sixteen years ago, adding that the  event represents a landmark in their common journey to provide hope to the women of South Sudan and secure the dreams of its young girls.

The Security Council Resolution 1325 draws attention to the differential impact of armed conflict on women, their exclusion from conflict prevention and resolution, peacekeeping and peace building, and the inextricable links between gender equality and international peace and security.

The Council of Ministers in its regular meeting No.27/2015 held on Friday 30th October 2015 resolved to endorse the NAP for the Implementation of the UNSCR 1325. The Council further directed the Ministers of Justice and Gender Humanitarian Affairs, to organize the operationalization of the document.