Justice ministry vows to expedite enactment of women’s rights bill

The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has vowed to ensure that the Women Empowerment Bill is passed into law soon.

The women empowerment bill also known as the affirmative action was presented to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ruben Madol; by the Minister of Gender Child & Social Welfare, Aya Benjamin, on Thursday.

This bill is in line with the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan that provides for 35 percent affirmative action to include women in decision-making.

Women participation in political opportunities and different sectors have not been achieved over the years, because of the absence of law.

This, many argue, could be a contributing factor to the often reported cases of conflict-related sexual violence against women and young girls, with perpetrators unpunished.

Speaking to the press, Regina Ossa Lullo, the acting undersecretary at the gender ministry, said she hoped the bill would complement the laws of South Sudan one enacted

‘’We brought the Affirmative Action Bill called the Women Empowerment Bill to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs so that they may work on it in a manner that suites legal wording.’’

For his part, the undersecretary at the justice ministry, Dr Gabriel Isaac, stated that the bill would be presented to the cabinet and then to the parliament, before being assented to by the president.

‘’The Minister is very concerned to see that the bill goes through the enactment process, and it is acted upon as soon as possible,” Isaac stressed.