South Sudanese women call for greater participation in constitutional review
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By Ngor Arol Garang
January 25, 2012 (JUBA) - A South Sudanese women’s alliance on
Wednesday said the National Constitution Review Commission (NCRC) did
not fully represent their interests after its swearing ceremony on
Tuesday.
JPEG - 27.2 kb
South Sudanese women celebrate casting their votes (Reuters)
The group called on the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir, to
ensure least four women participate in the NCRC in order broaden women
voices from both political and citizenry perspective. The South Sudan
Civil Society Alliance echoed the call.
“I vow to give the Commission absolute freedom in producing its
draft,” said Kiir at the swearing in ceremony at the Presidential
Palace in Juba.
On 9 January Kiir appointed Akolda Ma’an Tier, chairperson of the laws
reform commission, as chairperson of the constitution review
commission and former Upper Nile State governor, William Othwon Awer,
as his deputy. The 45 member commission also saw appointment of the
justice minister, John Luk Jok and presidential advisor Tellar Deng.
“It will reflect the aspirations of our people and it will lay the
basis for effective governance and help our country to develop in
peace and prosperity”, said Kiir.
South Sudan’s interim constitution was published in July 2011 amid
concerns about the powers it gave to the presidency. The Carter Center
issued a statement declaring “The current draft of the transitional
constitution contains a number of provisions that appear likely to
concentrate power in the central government."
Lillian Rizig, an activist and a chair of South Sudan Women
Empowerment Network said many women call on Kiir to consider the full
participation of women, not only from the political parties, but also
representatives of civil society groups in the constitutional process.
Rizing said that the 22 per cent representation for women in the NCRC
contravenes a stipulation of the transitional constitution, which
demanded 25 per cent. She also expressed concerns about additional
pressures on the current female participants.
Kiir on Tuesday explained that the constitution-making process offers
us a unique opportunity to design the kind of country that “we need”
with the 45 members travelling throughout South Sudan “to collect
views and to provide information on the Constitution to incorporate
these views of the people to improve the Transitional Constitution”.
The draft, scheduled to be completed within a year, will be presented
at the National Constitutional Conference for public debate before it
is adopted by the National Legislature and only after this process can
the Constitution to be promulgated by the President.
The National Conference will include representatives from every region
and group. Article 203 of the Transitional Constitution requires
representatives of political parties; civil society organisations;
women’s and youth groups; faith-based organisations; those South
Sudanese who have special needs; traditional Leaders; those who
sacrificed in our national struggle including war widows, veterans and
those disabled in the war; business leaders; trade unions;
professional associations; academics.
(ST)
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