Gender activist Data Gordon speaks on Eye Radio's Dawn Show. (-)

A gender activist is questioning the transitional government’s hesitation to kickstart the process of passing the anti-Gender-Based Violence Bill and Family Law which were drafted in 2020.

Data Gordon, Executive Director of Men for Women Organization, said the delay in passing the bills contributes to disempowering women and further discourages gender equality.

Gordon stated that a speedy enactment of the legislations will protect the rights of women and girls in marriage and guarantee their right to own property.

“The anti-GBV bill was drafted, and until now, it has not yet passed and is enshrined in the constitution. Such bills have to be passed and the fact is that they have not been passed,” Gordon said on Eye Radio’s Dawn Show.

“We are disempowering women and girls because there are a lot of practices going on against them,” he continued.

“Women shall have the right to own property and share in the estates of their deceased husbands together with any surviving and legal heir to the deceased.”

“Nothing has been done, so how do we empower women? To achieve Gender Equality is the question for all of us in the country.”

The activist spoke during the International Women’s Day, a globally recognized event celebrated annually on March 8th to honor the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world.

It was celebrated in South Sudan this year under the theme” Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.”

Gordan stated that the South Sudan government and people must acknowledge that empowering women is not a favor but guaranteeing them the inalienable rights of human beings.

He said South Sudan can only benefit from the affirmative action if women and girls are empowered for a long time.

“What we need to know is that we are not doing a favor for women it’s their mandate and it’s their right to be empowered. It is sad for a country like South Sudan when are still talking about affirmative action.”

In December 2023 the Chairperson of the Women Advocacy Association of South Sudan called on the national government to speed up the enactment of the family laws to protect women’s rights.

Suhila Deng said once the law come into force, it will safeguard against judges passing shorter than the required imprisonment terms for perpetrators of rape and defilement.

And in May 2023, a group of women called on the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to speed up the tabling of the Anti GBV bill before parliament.

But there has been no tangible progress since then.