UNFPA East and South Africa Ms Lydia Zigomo attend the International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership in Juba, South Sudan.
For the first time in history, since South Sudan got its independence in 2011 the government under the leadership of the Vice President Mama Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior organized an International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership in Juba. The three-day conference attended by more than 400 local, regional, and international delegates was held under the theme “Transformational Leadership in Women, Peace, and Security” with an Arabic slogan “Guwa Ta Mara” Meaning strength of a Woman.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit officiated the conference. In his keynote address during the launch of the conference, President Kiir said his government was honored to host the first-ever international women's conference in Juba.
President Kiir pointed out that the conference came at a time when both the government and partners have jointly gained momentum to empower women in the country. They fought for freedom to enable women to take an active role in nation-building and share their experiences with other women in the global society.
“During our liberation struggle, one of the principles we fought for was to free our citizens and part of this freedom was also for women to take an active role in nation-building and share their experiences with other women. This conference fulfilled that vision,” he said.
On her part, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior, Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster said the conference will empower women by sharing their life experiences of the conflict and learning from the experience of women leaders including former women Presidents from other countries in Africa.
“This conference provided a forum for a political space for women to share opinions in the decision-making process, share powerful voices, rich experiences and create a safe space for our women at the grassroots to network with those from around the world,” said Mama Nyandeng.
The forum discussed critical issues such as women’s leadership, and governance, women’s economic governance, women and climate change, and women issues and civil society gender as well as the involvement of women at the community level.
UNFPA East and South Regional Director Ms. Lydia Zigomo appreciated the leadership of South Sudan for bringing together women across the world to discuss, celebrate each other, and share experience on critical issues concerning women.
In her presentation on women during the conference in the plenary on Peace and Security; Women’s Leadership Role in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Ms. Zigomo recognizes that all forms of insecurity have detrimental effects on the 3 transformative goals. “It is unfortunate that the well-being of women & youth, particularly their Sexual Reproductive health (SRH) gets the least attention in peacebuilding & conflict resolution, yet they are the most affected during and after times of conflict. UNFPA will continue to advocate for and support to restore dignity of women and girls including humanitarian settings” Ms Zigomo said.
