The Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Nunu Rhoda Rodolf, has called on the Juba City Council to reduce taxes on women engaged in small-scale businesses, saying the current tax burden is affecting household incomes and slowing women’s economic empowerment.
She made the appeal on Thursday during the launch of a
one-year women empowerment, protection, and advocacy programme organized by
Global Voices in Juba.
“Women are trying their best to put food on the table for
their families, but city council operations are affecting their businesses. We
need to come together and engage the authorities so that these challenges are
addressed,” Rodolf said
She stressed that economic empowerment of women is key to
national development and urged stakeholders to work jointly with city
authorities to find sustainable solutions.
“If we support women economically, we are supporting entire
families and communities. That is why we must sit with the city council and
discuss how best to reduce the burden on small traders,” she added
The Director of the Special Protection Unit and Child
Affairs, James Dak Karlo, also raised concerns over the protection challenges
facing women and children, saying economic hardship is contributing to cases of
domestic violence in some households.
“Women of South Sudan have been suffering for a long time,
and children are also affected. If we empower women, we are empowering society.
We must respect them, protect them, and support them in every way possible,” Karlo
said
He called for stronger action against gender-based violence
and human trafficking, noting that recent cases require joint efforts between
government and communities.
The programme aims to strengthen women’s voices through
advocacy and policy engagement, including calls for tax reforms affecting small
businesses.