Women Political Participation and Good Governance in Yei River County South Sudan

CHAPTER ONE THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1.1 Back ground of the study South Sudan women constitute over 60 percent of the population in Africa’s newest state. Women participation in south Sudan’s political terrain emerged consequent upon the devastating effects of south Sudan men were killed on different front lines. In the lead up to the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement, a donors conference was held in Oslo where south Sudan women came out to put their priorities, concerns and erosion of their capabilities. Among others they called for: Recognizing the principle of 50% equal representation for women and men as enshrined in the solemn declaration on gender equality at all levels, support urgent programs for addressing negative customs and practices which continue to foster women’s marginalization and exclusion in all spheres of life. Jane (2011) has further argued that the participation of women in political and public affairs of south Sudan is a fairly recent phcnomenon. This is partly due to the fact that women involvement in politics was a women prerogative. Recent studies in this field reveal that women and men occupy different and unequal positions and power relations both within the family and society at large. While women are relegated to their stereotype roles of nurturing and caring, men assume political positions, conduct business, serve the military and serve other roles deemed males. Such gender configurations of women and men are shaped and reinforced by societal cultural norms and practices.