Breaking Cultural Norms: The Ongoing Struggle for Women’s Rights in South Sudan
Recently, a symposium on Women, Peace, and Security shed light on a disturbing practice in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State. Chief Oduma Ofoto revealed that intentional killings among the Otuho-speaking tribes often result in offering a female child as compensation.
Organized by Women Agency for Progress Organization (WAPO) and CARE International, the event emphasized the urgent need for legal reforms and greater inclusion of women in decision-making processes. Chief Oduma highlighted the challenges faced in addressing this harmful practice, prevalent in villages within the region.
The symposium, attended by key stakeholders, aimed to build collaborative efforts for effective implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in Eastern Equatoria State. Despite efforts by local leaders like Umjuma Philiph Atrun, who advocate for alternative forms of compensation, the practice of using girl children as restitution for crimes persists.
Flora Sebit Jada, Executive Director of WAPO, stressed the importance of empowering women in community affairs to combat issues like violence against women. The symposium serves as a crucial step towards advocating for change and upholding the rights of girls and women in South Sudan.