One of the workshop participants makes her point. The women spoke strongly against traditional norms that marginalize them.
Women in Twic are attributing a lack of opportunities and “brain drain” of educated females in their communities to deeply-entrenched traditional practices which relegate them to a secondary role.
“I’ve applied for many different job positions with both governmental and non-governmental organizations, but I am turned down every time. Is it because I am not qualified or because I am a woman?” said 22 year-old Asunta Ajang Atem, who believes that her inability to secure work outside the home is a result of preconceived notions regarding what women can and cannot do in society.
Despite having been promised a 35 per cent share in government by the nation’s revitalized peace agreement, drawn up in 2018, many women feel not enough is being done to address underlying social factors which impede them from being able to claim representation, despite having the necessary skills.
This week, several dozen ladies from the area, including concerned local functionaries, were given a platform to speak out on the matter during a one-day workshop organized by the Gender Affairs Unit of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s Kuajok Field Office.
“We are often left out of decision-making processes due to cultural norms within our communities which dictate that the woman’s place is in the home and with the children,” said Maria Nyanbol Agoth.
As a result, it is becoming more commonplace for women to search for better opportunities to pursue their career goals in neighboring Uganda, Kenya, Tanzanian, and other countries.
“Many women prefer to leave the country as opposed to enduring suffering. We’ve even come to a point where there are not enough [women] to fill the 35 per cent quota allotted through affirmative action,” Twic Deputy Governor Mario Ajak Akuei said.
Participants also spoke about how a lack of transparency within government institutions further compounds their situation.
“Corruption is very high in this area. Government officials prefer to employ their close relatives as opposed to giving a chance to someone who might be more qualified,” several of them said.
Women are given a central role as caretakers in Dinka culture, which dominates in the area.
But many women feel limited by their communal expectations and yearn for the chance to contribute to something outside of their immediate families.
“Parents and husbands do not allow women to participate in activities that allow them to improve their and others’ lives, especially when it comes to getting an education. They should also be invited to come to workshops like this so they can become more open-minded,” several participants said, underscoring the need to sensitize community members to the inner plight of women, to create space for positive change.
In closing the discussions, Roda Sube, a gender affairs officer with the peacekeeping mission, encouraged the participants to remain steadfast in their cause.
“I hope this workshop will serve as an eye-opener for you to be able to realize your potentials and muster the will to stand up for what you believe in,” she told them.