Rebecca Nyandeng the vice president for gender and youth cluster. Credit|Aljazeera

The Vice President for Gender and Youth cluster says gender equality in South Sudan can be achieved when women are empowered economically.

Rebbeca Nyandeng made the remarks during the opening of the ongoing International Women’s Conference in Juba.

According to her, the low-income status of women has confined most of them to the kitchen.

Nyandeng said for women to compete with men across all spheres, they must liberate themselves financially to have a stronger voice in public.

“Across this country, a phrase has been echoing in our streets, Guwa-ta-Mara [strength of a woman] translating the strength of a woman which has been hidden behind the kitchen, it is now in the limelight.”

Nyandeng believes that even the improving literacy rate among women, lack of financial independence still hinders them from getting equal opportunities as men.

She called on women not to give up on their search for gender equality in the country.

“Gender equality through women’s economic empowerment, if we do not empower our women economically, they will never go anywhere, because we are born to look into the pockets of our husbands.”

“Achieving gender equality is fundamental to address the power imbalances in our societies.”

On Monday, President Salva Kiir pledged to support women’s empowerment activities in the country.

He acknowledged the challenges facing women in the country and vowed to ensure that his government addressed issues affecting women so as to empower them to flourish and prosper economically, in governance, and in security.