Opinion: South Sudanese Women: Making Peace A Reality

November 8, 2019 Opinions

Opinion,

By: Nyakueth B. Pal

Nyakueth B. Pal, Social and Environmental activist (P. photo)

Nov 8th, 2019 (SSNN)-The source of my difficulties has always been the same: An inability to accept what to others seems natural and an irresistible tendency to voice out the facts and opinions that no one wants to hear. Quite interesting. We all have an unsuspected reserve strength inside that emerges when life puts us to test much as we have the ‘‘MALE- FEMALE’’ war. In the workforce, we tend to look at what men can do but we should not forget, a woman can do what a man can do if she is given the opportunity.

Let’s be real and acknowledge the facts. Women are the soul losers and most hurt by this senseless war since the day it broke out in the year 2013 up to date.

Women are the one losing husbands, sons and daughters. Nothing hurts like losing a child.
For the few months I have been here, right after my studies, I have heard, seen and crossed check corners and fine print of things that matters. I learnt of the good, the bad and the ugly, I have seen kids mostly boys working as conductors rather than going to school, Daughters loitering with only dreams for education and many ends up as illiterate house wives.

Mothers are fighting for the only remaining fraction of hope regardless of how fragile this Peace is. Imagine with only few days to the deadline yet the big question remains unanswered ‘‘COULD IT BE PEACE?’’ The civil population does not define that right now and it is just in God’s mercy. Believe me you, my hope is that our leaders make the right decision to restore peace. The question is what should these tired mothers, wives and sisters do to stop this?

In my opinion, we need to engage women in the peace process. Much as we talked of women inclusively in the leadership by 35%, this is just on the papers, I believe we need to learn from other countries experiences and how they got out of the trench pit. Of course, not every borrowed tactic works. For instance, Rwanda has more of a similar case here. Rwanda didn’t just go through genocide or civil war, but the country went through leadership transformation where by women took up more active leadership role to the tune of 48% of the government and guess what, it is one of the most peaceful, clean and rapidly developing countries in Africa.

The strength of tea bag is tasted by hot water And the strength of a phenomenal woman is by unleashing her potential when given a much bigger responsibility. Women are not only peace makers and development agents but also compassionate leaders who can do more than anything for their children and Nation.

In this case, South Sudan is a child to them that needs to be rescued. The women in the camps and IDPs protection sites have proven that capability beyond reasonable doubt. If they can build their huts, take care of their children and more then I fully believe they are the actual hope for South Sudan. Let’s give peace a chance with them in the leadership not a by the way. Let’s encourage women to join in the discussion as the main leaders to bring lasting peace and development just as we trust them in doing Church work.

Nyakueth B. Pal is Social and Environmental activist. She can be reached through her email at Palsmartha98@gmail.com or at
Palsmartha98.blogspot.com

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