By Anak Dut

The National Constitutional Review Commission in collaboration with the UN Women has kicked off a three-day workshop on inclusive public participation of women in the constitution-making process.

The workshop, aimed at advancing an inclusive gender-responsive constitutional-making process, has brought in experts from Kenya and South Africa.

Speaking at the event yesterday, Benjamin Aya Warille, the Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, said the Constitution shapes the social, political, and economic landscape of South Sudan.

“It enshrines the rights and freedoms that provides a framework for governance that is accountable, transparent, and responsive to the needs of all citizens.”  

However, the minister stressed on the need to build a more inclusive and equitable society that reflects the diversity and richness of the society, including the experiences and perspectives of women’s participation and leadership.

Dr. Riang Yer Zuor, the Chairperson of the National Constitutional Review Commission said any person who tries to pull the women out of the phrase shall have a very difficult task of convincing others as the participation of women who are part and parcel of the process, is fully guaranteed. 

“It is the quality and the means of their participation that they should work on with the support of all of us.

Dr. Yer further referred to the constitution that comes in contact with Section 11, subsection 1 paragraphs D, F, and J of the Constitution Making Process Act 2022, which provides for the representation of women groups, ethnic minorities, and people with special needs.

“This provision was reflected in the presidential decree that reconstituted the Commission and appointed the members of the constitution.”