For the first time in our history, a national committee is being headed and deputized by a woman
By Dut Deng Kok, Juba, South Sudan
Friday, June 21, 2019 (PW) — South Sudan is now just one of 11 countries in the world where women running the country make up the same proportion as they do in society. There are nearly 200 countries in the world. It is absurd that we should need to celebrate that our leaders reflect the diversity of our society. But this is where we are and we do need to celebrate this moment.
The SPLM has long pushed for equality in its senior positions. This is all the more laudable in a society where violence towards women is endemic, and where other political parties are less interested in equality but take a look from SPLM party.
These parties’ arguments, reflected in too many other countries, boil down to merit: leaders should be chosen on merit. This is a handy trick creating the illusion that we live in a system where everyone has equal opportunities. But, to get to the top, a woman has to make it through a system that has been refined, over centuries, to exclude anyone that does not conform to a narrow definition of leaders.
While our movies make it clear that girl doesn’t play with superhero toys, or certain types of Lego that help to develop “masculine” skill sets. Our schools reward the boys who reflect a specific version of what it means to be a man. By their teenage years, girls are faced with the likelihood of being married at the earlier age or abused.
Then they enter a workplace where their managers are probably men, who promote people like them. If people don’t conform to this “boys’ club” they miss out on opportunities to learn, promotion and further development.
We live in a system built to exclude. A system that doesn’t reward on merit. Yet women have risen to the top and have demanded that things change. We have exceptional leaders. To run this country, we need a diversity of thoughts. Having the same small club of men means the same ideas will keep being punted, the same mistakes will keep being made.
Let’s show our future leaders that anyone can lead, if they wish to improve this country. Let us continue to lead the world.
Dut Deng Kok is a South Sudanese opinion writer and he can reach visa email; dutmanyang@gmail.com
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