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Promoting Women’s Legitimacy: Countering Anti-Women Narratives in Malakal

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In a strategic effort to create a more inclusive environment for women’s leadership and political participation, the National Press Club-South Sudan, with support from the Peacebuilding Fund through UN Women, launched an awareness campaign to challenge anti-women narratives. Held on August 29, 2024, the event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the state government, parliament, women’s caucus, civil society, youth, chiefs, persons with disabilities, and residents of Malakal.

The discussions highlighted the crucial need to empower women and acknowledge their contributions, with several references made to their active role during the liberation movement. Hon. James, representing the deputy governor, recounted the significant involvement of women during that time, notably in the formation of Katiba Bannat, where women provided shelter and care for the injured. He stressed the importance of education, open dialogue, and support for women’s rights, urging men to uphold the 35% representation for women as outlined in the peace agreement. Hon. James also underscored the necessity of women’s participation in politics and governance, calling for a more inclusive approach to state leadership.

Ms. Nyaruon Gabriel, field officer for the National Press Club, highlighted the lack of investment in girls’ education within local communities. She emphasized that educating girls is fundamental to cultivating future women leaders.

Deng Michael Yor, paramount chief of Malakal County, echoed the call for greater support for women’s aspirations, urging the government, UN agencies, and international organizations to play a role in empowering women. He further challenged women to pursue education, stressing that knowledge is a powerful tool that could raise women’s representation beyond the current 35%, potentially reaching 50%.

The spokesperson for the women’s caucus in the state parliament emphasized the need to nurture young girls’ talents and leadership potential. She advocated for the development of training programs and workshops to enhance women’s leadership skills and increase awareness of the vital role women play in politics.

Throughout the event, different speakers delivered powerful messages, urging men to see women as equal partners in all spheres of life—whether at home, in the community, or on the national stage. They highlighted the indispensable contributions women make to society and encouraged women to take responsibility for pursuing their rights, while calling on men to abandon harmful stereotypes and traditional perceptions. Women were also encouraged to prioritize education and personal development.

This campaign reached about 70 stakeholders in Malakal, marking an important step toward ensuring greater participation and leadership for women in Malakal and in South Sudan’s political and social progress.

Participants sited, and attending to a presentation during the campaign. Photo SSBC Malakal/Mayen

Participants sited, and attending to a presentation during the campaign. Photo SSBC Malakal/Mayen

Participants sited, and attending to a presentation during the campaign. Photo SSBC Malakal/Mayen

Radio Talk Show: A Strategic Campaign Approach

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The National Press Club South Sudan (NPC-SS) is dedicated to advancing women’s empowerment by utilizing radio talk shows as a strategic campaign tool. Through this approach, NPC-SS aims to raise awareness about women’s leadership, political participation, and involvement in peacebuilding efforts.

In South Sudan, young women encounter numerous challenges that restrict their participation in public life and decision-making processes. These challenges are often deeply embedded in cultural and social norms, where early marriage is frequently prioritized over educational opportunities for girls. The radio talk show addresses these critical barriers to women’s participation, including societal expectations, cultural limitations, and structural obstacles.

Reflecting on a baseline study conducted by NPC-SS to assess the quality and quantity of women’s participation in decision-making roles within national and state parliaments, the talk show delves into the reasons for the under-representation of women. The study identified key factors such as the patriarchal system and cultural barriers that confine women to household responsibilities, limiting their political engagement. Additionally, the lack of skills, knowledge, and confidence compared to their male counterparts further hinders their political involvement.

On the “Sundown Show” program aired on Eye Radio in August 19, 2024, Yar Ajak hosted a discussion featuring prominent guests including: Hon. Helen Ngaidok, a member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly; Ms. Suzan Nafisia, manager of UniPod at the University of Juba; and Chief Emmanuel Juma, administrator of Dolo Payam.

Hon. Helen Ngaidok highlighted several factors that impede women’s participation in politics, such as low educational levels and early marriages. She lamented that many women in leadership roles, particularly in parliament, are either widows or single mothers who were appointed after the deaths of their husbands who were parliamentarians. She pointed out that married women often face resistance from their husbands, who feel threatened by their involvement in politics. Helen stressed the need for the government to implement the 35% affirmative action, ensuring that women have their own positions rather than filling in for their deceased husbands.

Chief Emmanuel Juma added that traditionally, girls were forced into marriage and discouraged from pursuing education. He emphasized the importance of equal empowerment, advocating for mutual understanding between husbands and wives to enable women to pursue their leadership and political ambitions.

Ms. Suzan Nafisia discussed the traditionally perceived triple roles of women, which include reproduction, social work within the community, and family care. She noted that these roles significantly limit women’s ambitions, as societal perceptions often restrict them to these duties. Nafisia also pointed out that the media’s portrayal of women exacerbates these challenges, as they are often represented based on these traditional roles. Derogatory phrases like “ita mara sakit” (meaning “you are just a woman”) or “you have someone to depend on” contribute to women feeling inferior, making them hesitant to take on public roles. Nafisia emphasized that decisions made by women are always fair and effective as they tend to prioritize the needs of the community.

The talk show was further enhanced by the comments and questions from the listenners, an indicator of the increasing reach of the strategy.

The NPC-SS is currently implementing a project titled “Women’s Leadership and Political Participation during South Sudan’s Transition Period,” funded by the Peace Building Fund through UN Women. The project includes various activities such as awareness campaigns, mentorship sessions, stakeholder workshops, and the aforementioned radio talk show, all aimed at empowering women and enhancing their participation in leadership and political processes

 

Guests in the studio of Eye Radio Photo, Eye radio

Guests pose for photo at the compund of Eye radio Photo, NPC-SS/Moses A. Edward

Stakeholder Workshop: Creating a Conducive Environment for Women’s Leadership

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In a significant effort to foster a more supportive environment for women’s leadership and political participation, the National Press Club – South Sudan (NPC-SS) successfully hosted a three-day stakeholder workshop focused on these critical issues. The event held from August 7 to 9, 2024, at Glory Regency Hotel, featured presentations and discussions aimed at addressing the barriers women face in leadership, political participation, and peacebuilding.

The workshop provided a platform for diverse participants, including national and state government officials, civil society representatives, persons with disabilities, media personnel, and youth leaders. Key deliberations included findings of a baseline survey on social norms and structural barriers hindering women’s leadership, panel discussion on the roles of various stakeholders in challenging harmful social norms, and discussions on the roles of women in peacebuilding, constitution-making processes, and the challenges faced by young women in participating actively in these areas.
In her opening remarks, Hon. Yar Telar Ring, Deputy Chairperson for the Women’s Caucus in the Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly (RTLA), emphasized the significant challenges faced by women in South Sudan. “We are the most vulnerable in our new nation, and the road ahead is long,” she noted, highlighting the lack of access to education, persistent security threats, and societal perceptions of women as major obstacles. Hon. Yar called for the implementation of a framework that would ensure that women are afforded the opportunities mandated by the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

Hon. Nyaman Nyiock, Chairperson of the Standing Committee for Peacebuilding in the State RTLA in Malakal, encouraged women leaders to promote peace among themselves, she urged the government to enact laws that support women’s participation in politics, decision-making, and peacebuilding. “We are capable of participating in all sectors, including roles as high as the presidency,” she stated, urging women to unite and fight for their rights.
Esther Ikere, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting women’s participation across various sectors, including the private sector, civil society, and academia. She announced the Ministry’s plan to launch a study framework titled ‘Gender Equality and Public Administration (GEPA),’ which will provide valuable insights into women’s roles in leadership and peacebuilding. Ikere also emphasized the Ministry’s intention to collaborate with women leaders from different political parties to ensure the successful implementation of the framework.

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in extensive discussions and brainstorming sessions, leaving them inspired and determined to take concrete actions towards creating a more conducive environment for women’s leadership and political participation. “I have realized that women’s participation in leadership and politics is still extremely low,” confessed Hon. Nyaman, pledging to empower the women of Malakal and inspire them with hope. She expressed gratitude to the facilitators, NPC, and UN Women for making the event possible.

Mr. Beka, a male participant from Pibor and a representative of persons with disabilities, shared that he gained valuable knowledge from the workshop and committed to bringing the transformation back to Pibor. Chief Emmanuel Juma Kalifa of Dolo Payam, Juba County, praised NPC and UN Women for the initiative, stating that the workshop had greatly impacted him and pledged to initiate awareness forums in Dolo Payam to promote a conducive environment for women’s political participation and leadership.

The workshop concluded with a strong sense of commitment among the participants to take meaningful steps toward advancing women’s leadership and political participation in South Sudan.

 

Participants pose for a group photo. Credit, Joky Malual/The Radio Community

Participants during an energizer. Credit, Joky Malual/The Radio Community