Communiqué: Round Table on Women’s Political Participation and Legislative Reforms in South Sudan

We, the women leaders of South Sudan, representing a diverse range of groups and networks including women politicians, civil society members, faith leaders, activists, and women’s rights defenders, convened by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network), have gathered to discuss the implementation of the Women’s Peace and Security agenda in South Sudan.

Our focus includes the four pillars: Participation, Protection, Prevention, and Relief and Recovery; the gaps in the development and implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) 2015-2020 and the draft NAP 2020-2025; draft legislation on Family Law and Anti-GBV bills; and the roles of women, youth, and stakeholders in advancing and protecting the rights of women, girls, and boys.

Aware of the important legal and policy frameworks for the protection of women, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325; the NAP; the Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality, and South Sudan National Development Strategy 2021-2024, we;

Commend the President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardiit, and the President of Kenya, H.E. William Ruto Samoei, for their efforts in facilitating peace negotiations through the ‘Tumaini’ Peace Initiative (Hope for South Sudan).

Recognize the enduring struggle of South Sudanese women for gender equality and their significant role in the quest for lasting peace in South Sudan.

Express our concern about the persistent lack of political will by the parties and the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to enforce the 35% affirmative action for women’s representation and to ensure the replacement of women with women in all levels and structures of government.

Condemn the adverse effects of conflict on women, girls, and boys, including displacement, hunger, loss of life and property, and, most critically, sexual and gender-based violence.

Alarmed by recent actions, such as the unilateral removal of the female Deputy Governor and the Mayor of Juba City by the Governor of Central Equatoria State, and the appointment of male Returning Officers by the National Elections Commission, which has further diminished women’s representation.

Note with concern the absence of key principal leaders from the Holdout Groups led by General Thomas Cirilo and Emmanuel Ajawin in the Tumaini Peace Initiative.

Acknowledge the concerns from some sections of RTGoNU regarding the intersection of the R-ACRSS and the Tumaini Initiative and emphasize the need for political consensus and national dialogue to steer the country toward a peaceful democratic transition.

Call on the Tumaini Initiative and its mediators to adopt an inclusive, transparent, and people-centered mediation process, including visiting South Sudan to consult with conflict-affected communities, stakeholders, and the broader population to gather their views and experiences.

After thorough reflection and thought-provoking discussions, we agree upon and put forward the following key priority areas, as well as corresponding recommendations that call for an inclusive and holistic approach to addressing the challenges faced by South Sudanese women and girls:

The Government of South Sudan to:

1. Expedite the adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) 2020-2025 and allocate sufficient funding to the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare to support its implementation.
2. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs should present the Bills on Affirmative Action, Family Law, and Anti-GBV to the National Legislative Assembly and hold public hearings to gather input from women’s groups and citizens.
3. All political parties should adhere to the 35% affirmative action policy for women by appointing more women to leadership positions and cease the practice of replacing women in decision-making roles with men.
4. Prioritize the Tumaini Peace process and address any contradictions between the Tumaini Initiative and the R-ACRSS through political dialogue and national consensus that includes women and civil society organizations.
5. Allocate adequate funding for the implementation of key tasks under R-ARCSS, including the national electoral process, constitution-making, transitional justice mechanisms, security sector, and judicial reform.
6. Allow for civic and political space and reconsider amending the National Security Act 2014 (as amended), as it currently restricts civic and political space, violates fundamental rights under the Bill of Rights of the Transitional Constitution 2011 (as amended), and undermines other government institutions such as the Police, Prisons, Judiciary, and Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

The Government of Kenya to:

1. Continue engaging with all hold-out groups under the Tumaini Peace Initiative and expedite the mediation process to achieve lasting peace in South Sudan.

Peace Partners to:

1. Provide technical support to the government in implementing peace agreements, including the Tumaini Peace Initiative, the NAP, and Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality.
2. Support civil society and women’s groups in conducting civic education, promoting dialogue, and peacebuilding.
3. Continue supporting resilience and livelihood programs to address humanitarian crises, especially in conflict- and flood-affected communities.
4. Support institutional and legislative reform processes by strengthening the capacity of government institutions such as the Police, Prisons, Judiciary, Medical Units, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Parliament in responding to GBV prevention and response.
5. The UN should allocate funds to support programs that promote UN Security Council Resolution 1325 through women’s empowerment, protection, and prevention of GBV.

Women’s Groups and Civil Society Organizations to:

1. Conduct nationwide civic education, sensitization, and dialogues on key Anti-GBV and Family Law bills.
2. Carry out mass campaigns and raise awareness on women’s rights at the grassroots level, focusing on the Bill of Rights and Maputo Protocols.
3. Strengthen women’s movement building and solidarity at various levels to ensure accountability.
4. Engage in legal and policy reforms through advocacy, analysis, and dialogue with key institutions to promote gender equality and inclusive processes.
5. Enhance existing Peace Forums in all 10 states and 3 administrative areas to bridge the information gap between the Tumaini Peace process, R-ACRSS, and the grassroots population. These forums should support information sharing and provide feedback mechanisms.
6. Utilize technology for information sharing among citizens through online networking and learning.

This communiqué reflects our collective commitment to advancing women’s political participation and legislative reforms in South Sudan. We urge all stakeholders to act on these recommendations to ensure a more equitable and peaceful future for South Sudan. 

‘We Cannot Wait, Women Standing for Peace’

Signatories:

1. ALBA Foundation South Sudan
2. Centre for Inclusive  Governance, Peace and  Justice (CIGPJ)
3. Centre for Strengthening Community Voices (CSCOV)
4. Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network South Sudan
5. Community Initiative Development Association (CIDA)
6. Eve Organization for Women Development South Sudan
7. Grassroots Women Network 
8. Hope Restoration South Sudan (HRSS)
9. South Sudan Women’s Empowerment Network (SSWEN)
10. South Sudan Youth Peace and Development Organisation (SSYPADO
11. South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections. (SSuNDE) 
12. Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network
13. Women Action Society for Development Peace and Justice
14. Women and Youth Empowerment Initiative (WAYEI)
15. Women International Peace Centre (WIPC) South Sudan Office
16. Young Women Christian Association (YWCA)