War Widows Seeking Financial Support From EES As part of their peace dividends and appreciation to enable them survive in regards to their fallen husbands, South Sudanese war ravaged widows in Eastern Equatoria State,(EES) have pleaded to the State Government for financial support. 26 July 2011 War Widows Seeking Financial Support From EES Hon. Alma addressing a gathering during WFWI celebrations [©Gurtong]
By Peter Lokale Nakimangole TORIT, 26th July, 2011 [Gurtong] – As part of their peace dividends and appreciation to enable them survive in regards to their fallen husbands, South Sudanese war ravaged widows in Eastern Equatoria State,(EES) have pleaded to the State Government for financial support. While speaking on Sunday, during a celebration for the Youth and Women Association Independence Party at the Women Centre in Torit, the chairperson for EES Women Association, Alma Thomas appealed to the State Government to monetarily support widows who lost their husbands during the last 22 years civil war. Although the leader recommends majority of women and men to embark on agriculture as the best way to boost South Sudanese women to curtail the current economic dilemma, she insists that it was necessary for them to venture into business through Government support. Responding to the move the women had taken, the State Governor Loius Lobong Lojore said that his administration has been strategising how to provide women survivors of war, not only widows, with resources in order to be self reliant. “Our main objective is to assist women whose husbands got killed and whose lives have been devastated by war, with direct financial aid to realize economic development,” the Governor reckoned. Hon. Alma who is also serving as an MP in Eastern Equatoria State Lagislative Assembly, (EESLA) complained that widows have continued to remain in discontent as they are not only economically challenged but also psychologically, they have been socially and economically excluded despite having survived the long liberation struggle. She says provision of business start-up packages for women especially the widows would help serve as a response to lack of access to capital by them. “A section of women have revealed to me that they have no access to Agricultural implements and once they harvest the little they could afford, lack of market linkages to market their products becomes a problem,” Alma revealed. Observers have noted that the affected groups are ignorant of their rights and recommends practical training as a key component to expose the widows in understanding their rights. She added that vocational and technical skills development is the key component of WFWI – a Sudan programme that strengthens women’s existing skills and introduces new skills in traditional and non-traditional fields so that they can access future employment opportunities. . Alma said that women generally lack bargaining power and once they economically grow, they will find a lasting solution. She adds, “If the support materializes, it will sustain increased decision-making at family and community levels hence re-establish social networks as well as promoting a woman’s well-being.” Posted in: Home Comments RSS comment feed There are currently no comments, be the first to post one. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/jfdinfo?hl=en.
