IWD 2021: South Sudan Should Stop Increasing Women’s Vulnerabilities!
6 min read
By Madit Them Arop, Juba, South Sudan
Monday, March 08, 2021 (PW) — Appointing women into public offices on gender groundrather on capabilities is not helping them. The public wondered and asked: what is so special about men that women cannot understand or achieve when it comes to educational trainings? South Sudan talks of 25% or 35% of women’s representation as basis of appointing them into political positions. What this means is for women to have equal opportunity rights across public institutions. The basis shouldn’t imply that women are weak or lack skills, and so they should be handpicked and slid into theopportunity’s basket. That’s not the case.
What hold them back is the common culture connected with fragile system. Being in a “patriarchal society” where women’s voices are voiceless with less choices to have proper training is major obstacle needed strong focus.Males controlled ideology have overshadowed women resoluteness in the string of public domains; it practicallylimited their views even visual manifestation at national podium is thin to reckon with.
“I am a woman and therefore I must be appointed on women’s basis!” It’s better to have different view like this:“Women and men are citizens of this country and must have equal opportunities with equal representation.” That sound inclusive and logical in a sense both have statuses which made each independent and important by right.
In terms of priorities, indeed, this is where attentionmatters perhaps on gender stand. Encouraging women to keep up with public issues and prioritize their considerations whenever political opportunities becomes available is healthy window to improve.
The common conviction is that every nation has powerful citizens, women included, only support and trainings to have creditable credentials as needful privilege is desired; henceforward, to be guided like the rest of sexes in their own rights.
In Britain, for instance, Margaret Thatcher broke the records. She was one of the powerful Prime Ministers who governed for a long period of time, and most of British citizens were satisfied in her leadership. She advocated for people to “be less dependent on the state and more able to make their own choices.” Meaning, to change the national attitude of mind, in her view, was one of the challenges, but she determined to smoothen the doubtful gaps. Thatcher was nicknamed as The Iron Lady, which associated with uncompromising politics and leadership style.
Angele Merkel of Germany is another incredible woman, who was elected as first chancellor in an era known as the“German reunification,” which later elevated into the former East Germany. Rosa Parks, the American Civil Rights Activist, a woman who refused to leave her seat to a white person on a bus when black people where required by the law of Montgomery at the time to sit behind in public buses.
Her resistance led to emancipation as well as to recognition by the United States Congress, which called her “the first lady of civil rights” and “the mother of the freedom movement.” The same concept applies to Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani young activist, who uses her forum to fight for “peace, equality, and education” especially for girls, is another exceptional young lady the international community called “the hero,” for committing to her ideology after surviving gunshot wounds with endless atrocious activities she encounteredin the hands of the Taliban.
South Sudan also have great mothers that nobody could doubt in their abilities. Mama Nyandeng de Mabior, wife of late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, who is currently the Vice President of Gender and Social Welfare. Truth tellers respects her for great role she played during Africa longest civil war in the continent, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) with then Khartoum government.
It’s believed that “behind every strong and successful men there is a strong woman.” In majority minds, she was the engine of the armory vehicle, the mainstream understoodto have guided the late SPLM Chairman Dr. John throughout the 21 years of combat.
Also, there is Hon. Angelina Teny, Defense Minister and wife of Dr. Riek Machar Teny, 1st Vice President in the Revitalized Government of National Unity. Without Angelina, it is told, SPLM/IO shouldn’t have achieved most of its current outcome.
Late Comrade Gen. Ager Gum who led battalions throughout SPLM liberation struggle, had achieved vastlyin most of her mandates; Hon. Yar Arol, the first South Sudanese woman who graduated from University of Khartoum and became successful as she represented her constituency in the People’s Parliament.
Hon. Adhar Arop Chom, with whom 50% of minors who lived in Dimo, Ethiopia in the eighties to nineties survived because of her immeasurable roles as a mother for all. Her voluntary responsibilities in treating, feeding, and counselling the generation called “minors” is living facts.She did much in order to help more to save more.
Today was tomorrow she indirectly prepared Jesh el Amer(young unaccompanied minors) for. As she humbly represents her constituency in the national parliament, her contribution is exceptional and nation should be so thankful to her.
Such women were/are visionary leaders, strong patriotic citizens who fulfilled their citizenry in unselfish manner. Others managed to lead because they had necessary skills and trainings helpful in their leaderships.
The un-showing fear is future problem being encouraged rather than being corrected. And that is lack of training. Again, the successful women mentioned hereon had proper trainings, had hand on experiences, others have acquired special skills which made them connect with the outside world. To prepare a nation one must first invest inskills.
Therefore, South Sudan system should refrain from usinggender in political selection as basis rather than taking women seriously as normal and capable citizens like others. 25% or 35% may only work as balancing roadmap after skills and experiences are identified. But being a woman should not be source of appointment. To have educational skills, one must have dedications with determination to acquire knowledge.
South Sudan system is increasing vulnerabilities of women through handpick appointments institutionalized and granted on gender axis. It has already sent wrong message since the only qualification needed to have higher political office is to be a female. Most of women would be unwilling to attain skills, to have better trainings because the system has compromised.
In all this, no history indicated that the excelled women quoted hereon or elsewhere were totally based on gender but most emerged on capabilities. Gender is secondary!To open up opportunities for women, rightful trainings should be compulsory as a way to prepare them for better future.
Gender need not be replacing credentials or capabilities; educational trainings should and will happens if the system enforces training of women for their own good as well as to the benefit of the nation. Stop appointing women on gender, appoints them on capabilities.
With concern(s) that may need any clarification, follow up or humble understanding, this author is reachable at aropmadit@mail.com. The writer is a concerned citizen and is resides in South Sudan.
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