Human rights activist, James Bilal. (Photo: Courtesy).

A rights activist is calling on the South Sudan Government to take what he describes as concrete and legally binding measures to protect and uphold the rights of women across the country.

Speaking at the International Women Day, James Bidal, Head of Secretariat of South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN), said legal and institutional reforms are imperative to combat gender-based violence and ensure women’s full participation in governance and economic development.

“Women in South Sudan continue to endure systemic injustices, including conflict-related sexual violence, entrenched discrimination, and socio-economic marginalization,” Bidal stated.

“The state has a legal and moral duty to implement and enforce policies that safeguard women’s rights in accordance with national laws and international human rights treaties.”

Mr Bilal called to attention key concerns, including the alarming prevalence of gender-based violence, the lack of access to justice for survivors, and the persistent under-representation of women in political and public leadership.

He reminded the government to implement the 35% quota for women’s representation in governance, as stipulated under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

“It is a fundamental principle of justice that survivors of gender-based violence must have access to legal redress, yet impunity remains a pervasive challenge. The government must establish dedicated courts for gender-based violence cases and strengthen legal aid frameworks.”

He further called on the government to address economic and social disparities that disproportionately affect women by investing in targeted legal and policy interventions in education, healthcare, and economic empowerment programs.

“A sustainable and just society cannot be realized while half of the population remains marginalized. The protection of women’s rights is not only a social obligation; it is a legal imperative that the government must prioritize,” Bidal added.

Bidal said this year’s International Women’s Day “served as a reminder of the resilience and invaluable contributions of South Sudanese women in nation-building,” and he extended his appeal to civil society organizations, international partners, and community leaders to collaborate in advocating for a legal framework that ensures equality, justice, and protection for all women.