Abdallah Baraj, the Secretary General of the Islamic Council - Courtesy

The Secretary General of the Islamic Council has called on parents and communities in South Sudan to prioritize the education of girls.

Abdallah Baraj emphasized the importance of allowing girls to complete their schooling and strongly discouraged the practice of forced marriages.

Baraj says the Islamic Council is committed to supporting efforts that address the issues, customs, and traditions that undermine the role of women and girls.

He says we must engage with sultans, Christian and Islamic clerics, and community leaders to encourage fathers to prioritize their daughters’ education.

He appealed to fathers not to marry off their girls early or by force.

The Secretary-General of the Islamic spoke to Eye Radio yesterday after participating in the 35th conference, held in Cairo on August 25-26, where about 50 Islamic countries came together to discuss the vital role of women in building awareness.

“We in the Islamic Council are ready to hold workshops and forums to discuss issues, customs and traditions that undermine the role of women and girls,” Baraj  said.

“We must all sit with the sultans and Christian and Islamic clerics to urge fathers to teach them to plant. I appeal to fathers not to marry girls off early or by force. Let the girls learn,” he said.

Abdallah Baraj says the conference focused on five key topics including the role of women in raising children, reforming society, their cultural contributions, and their impact on religious awareness, peace, and tolerance.

The Secretary-General says the event provided a platform for women to showcase their experiences and successes.

Dr Baraj says he shared South Sudan’s experience achievement of 35% women’s participation in public and political life.

He says Women in South Sudan hold prominent positions, including the Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, and leadership roles in several ministries

This represents significant progress for South Sudan Baraj says that

“More than 50 Islamic countries participated in the 35th conference. It was about the role of women in building awareness in Cairo on the 25-26 of August,” Baraj said.

“The conference discussed 5 topics: the role of women in raising children, reforming society, the cultural role of women, and the role of women in building religious awareness, peace and tolerance,” he said.

“It was an opportunity for women to present their experiences and successes, and Nana presented the experience of South Sudan which was admired by the attendees,” he added.

“We talked about the 35 per cent of women’s participation in public and political life in South Sudan.

“Women in South Sudan hold senior positions in the executive body the position of Vice President, as well as for the first time a woman holds the position of Speaker of Parliament, in addition to several ministries, including the Interior, Education, Environment, Agriculture, and the Ministry of Heritage and Museum. This is an experience in which we have advanced over many countries.”