Sarah Awel James, Chairwoman for the South Sudan Women General Association

My association has rural and urban branches in all 79 districts of our country. Our objective is really to speak for the voiceless and advocate for their rights. Right now we have the “Know Your Rights” campaign, which is based on the rights in the constitution and helps women report attacks and violations, and also access services in safety.

In the past in our country, women have been silent because of culture, but now, in this crisis, they are more open to talking. Rape is more often reported now, and thus survivors can be connected to services and other women in support groups. In our communities, local authorities are appointed, not elected. Many of them don’t know about [UNSCR] 1325 or CEDAW [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women]. But we have been appointed as part of the National Constitutional Review process.

1325 has been positive for us because it is currently being used as a reference or precedent for women being involved in the peace process and also the constitution calls for women’s participation. Many men and people in power still use the excuse that women aren’t educated so they can’t make decisions. And there is a very dominant political party right now, even though technically there are eighteen parties.

Investment in women is important, like the National Gender Budget, but it hasn’t been implemented yet. It was just developed by the Ministry of Gender. The government hasn’t signed off on it, but it’s being reviewed in the Council of Ministers now. They’ve also started a National Action Plan for 1325.

What we need is for women’s networks that are organized. They are not even recognized or legitimized even though they fought in the war and are active in rebuilding. Despite all of their work on peace, they have still been fighting the north for fifteen years. Women’s organizations need financial and technical support, along with spaces in decision-making. Officials and women leaders also need training. And finally the women’s movement needs a mechanism for its sustainability and continuation.