Mary Nawai, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs speaking during the launch of the women leadership and advocacy initiative under the theme ‘Arise Women’ - credit | Alex Misogo/Eye Radio | Jan. 26, 2022

The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs is calling on South Sudanese women to contest in different leadership positions instead of being used only as voters in the upcoming elections.

Mary Nawai Martin made the remarks on Monday in a press release ahead of the International Women Day.

Minister Nawai said South Sudan can attain its sustainable development goals through the promotion of gender equality.

She also encouraged women in leadership positions to perform impressively in order to dispel negative perception about women in the society.

“I’m appealing to women in leadership, not only in politics, but in every leadership, to make sure that let us try our best to perform well, it will motivate other women down there,” she said.

‘But if you are not making any change in your position, other women will not even be motivated in participant in politics or in leadership.”

On the upcoming South Sudan elections, Minister Nawai urged all the women to actively participate in the electoral processes including campaigns as well as contesting for leadership positions.

Nawai said women have full rights to participate in politics, adding that time has gone when women used to be confined only in the kitchen.

“When we promote gender equality in South Sudan, we are promoting development and I want to urge all of us, as we are preparing for election.”

“Let us not just say we are just voters; we have full rights as women to participant in electoral processes including campaign and also contesting in different positions.”

The International Women’s Day 2024 is a globally celebrated occasion that serves as a reminder to recognize and appreciate the contributions of women in all aspects of the society.

The event will be marked under the theme: “Accelerating Gender Equality through inclusion and access to productive resources for women and girls.”

Minister Nawai said the event holds a great significance to South Sudan as the country just attained its independence.

This year’s celebration on 8^th March will be held in western Equatoria state Mundri County.