APPEAL FOR SUPPORT FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF HIGH LEVEL GENDER ADVISERS TO THE SOUTH SUDAN PEACE PROCESS!
We the undersigned women’s organizations from around the world, support the appeal of South Sudanese women and express our deep concern over the absence of High Level Gender Advisors to the South Sudan peace process in Addis Ababa facilitated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). We stress that women should not be viewed solely as victims of the conflict. The inclusion of High Level Gender Advisors to the peace talks and the full integration of a gender perspective in the peace agreement is in line with the above regional and international policies. For this reason, it is imperative to appoint a full-time, High Level Gender Advisor for the mediation team, as well as independent High Level Gender Advisors for the two warring parties (GRSS and SPLM/A IO).
November 24, 2014
To: IGAD Special Envoys to the South Sudan peace process, Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo; H.E. Amb. Seyoum Mesfin; Gen. Ahmed M. El Dabi
Chief Negotiator Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GRSS), Nhial Deng Nhial
Chief Negotiator (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A IO), Gen. Taban Deng Gai
AU Special Envoy Women Peace and Security, Bineta Diop
IGAD Gender Department,
Executive Director UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuk
UNMISS SRSG, Ellen Margrethe Løj
Country Representative UNWOMEN South Sudan UN, Izeduwa Derex-Briggs and
The members of the Troika – the Governments of Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States
CC: All heads of delegations to the peace process
Re: Women from around the world support the appeal of South Sudanese women and call for the appointment of High Level Gender Advisors to the South Sudan peace process
We the undersigned women’s organizations from around the world, support the appeal of South Sudanese women and express our deep concern over the absence of High Level Gender Advisors to the South Sudan peace process in Addis Ababa facilitated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). We stress that women should not be viewed solely as victims of the conflict. Women should have a role as leaders in the peace process to ensure a gender dimension in the negotiations, as mandated by the UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1889, and 2122. As is evident in a number of cases, women bring in a unique and important perspective in peace negotiations and in the ensuing peace agreements. For example, in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, signed by the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the women negotiators successfully argued for the inclusion of a provision on the use of public funds for gender specific development programs and activities.
We greatly appreciate IGAD’s commitment to the implementation of regional and international policy mandates that focus on gender equality and the empowerment of women, such as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the UN Security Council Resolution 1325. These frameworks explicitly call for direct participation of women in the peace processes and political processes.
The inclusion of High Level Gender Advisors to the peace talks and the full integration of a gender perspective in the peace agreement is in line with the above regional and international policies. For this reason, it is imperative to appoint a full-time, High Level Gender Advisor for the mediation team, as well as independent High Level Gender Advisors for the two warring parties (GRSS and SPLM/A IO).
For the aforementioned reasons, we stand in support of all South Sudanese women’s groups and civil society organizations and call for:
1) A High Level Gender Advisor for the mediation team;
2) Independent High Level Gender Advisors for both warring parties;
We urge the government of the Republic of South Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in opposition to genuinely commit to a comprehensive and inclusive resolution to the conflict in South Sudan through dialogue.
The eyes of the world are on the conflict in South Sudan. Much has been done in the past decade to further women’s leadership. Ensure women are part of the solution for South Sudan.
If you wish to endorse this statement, please send your name and organization to Lori Perkovich <lori.gnwp@gmail.com>.
Organizations
1. Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders-International (USA)
2. Akinyi Walender, Cordaid Women Leadership for Peace and Security (The Netherlands)
3. Christian Ngendahimana, Fontaine ISOKO (Burundi)
4. Irene Esambo, CJR1325 (Democratic Republic of Congo)
5. Aimée Espérance, MATUNGULU (Democratic Republic of Congo)
6. Cerue Konah Garlo, Civil Society Media Leadership Program (Liberia)
7. Bandana Rana, 1325 Action Group (Nepal)
8. Robina Rubimbwa, The Coalition for Action on 1325 (Uganda)
9. Nassozi Margaret Kakembo, Luwero Women’s Development Association
(Uganda)
10. Isabelle Geuskens, Women Peacemakers Program (The Netherlands)
11. Rose Othieno, Center For Conflict Resolution (Uganda)
12. Neema Namadamu, SAFECO (Democratic Republic of Congo)
13. Stéphanie Mbanzendore , Burundian Women for Peace and Development (Burundi)
14. Janet Benshoof, Global Justice Center (USA)
15. Rose Mutombo Kiese, CAFCO (Democratic Republic of Congo)
16. Tatiana Dwyer, Global Justice United Methodist Women (USA)
17. Gina L Guddat, LMHC/Commission on the Status of Women Participant
Specializing in Women’s Psychology Treating Victims of Trauma and Violence (USA)
18. Jasmin Galace, Center for Peace Education, Miriam College (Philippines)
19. Catherine Awor, Women Peace Initiatives-Uganda (Uganda)
20. Mary Balikungeri, Rwanda Women’s Network (Rwanda)
21. Seng Shadan, Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (Thailand)
22. Lina Zedriga Waru, Regional Associates for Community Initiatives (Uganda)
23. Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo, Women International League for Peace and Freedom – Cameroon (CAMEROON)
24. Gro Lindstad, FOKUS – Forum for Women and Development (Norway)
25. Patricia Munabi Babiiha, Forum for Women in Democracy (Uganda)
26. Dr. Ebun Strasser-KIng, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Sierra Leone)
27. Janepher Masis, Tears of Women Organization (Kenya)
28. Yasmin Jusu-Sheriff, Mano River Women’s Peace Network (Sierra Leone)
29. Omana Tk (India)
30. Dr. Ann Frisch, Rotarian Action Group for Peace (USA)
31. Maria Elena Pizarro, John Jay College of Criminal Justice-CUNY, (USA)
32. Juliet Colman, National Alliance of Women’s Organizations (UK)
33. Therese Grail Lawagan, WE ACT 135 (Philippines)
34. Cora Weiss, International Peace Bureau (USA)
35. Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN (Bangladesh)
36. Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) (USA)
37. Calista Terezinha da Silva, WLSA MOZAMBIQUE (Mozambique)
38. Maude Regina Peacock (GCOR), The National Women’s Organisation (Republic of Sierra Leone)
39. Betty Reardon, FeDem and International Institute for Peace Education (USA)
40. Joanna Manganara, International Alliance of Women (Greece)
41. Elisabeth van der Steenhoven, WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform (The Netherlands)
42. Louise Davis, PRBB Foundation (USA)
43. Mossarat Qadeem, PAIMAN Alumni Trust (Pakistan)
44. Rev. Chloe Breyer, The Interfaith Center of New York (USA)
45. Ursula Oswald Spring, Latin American Council for Peace Research (Mexico)
46. Helen Kezie, Nwoha, Isis Women’s International Cross Cultural Exchange (Uganda)
47. Annie Matundu-Mbambi, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (DRC)
48. Rosa Emeilia Salamanca, Corporocación de Investigación y Acción Social y Económica CIASE, and Colectivo de pensamiento y Acción mujeres PAz y Seguridad (Colombia)
49. Emmicki Roos, 1325 Policy Group (Sweden)
50. Ruth Ojiambo Ochieng , Isis- Women International Cross Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE) (Uganda)
51. Mabel Bianco, Fundación para Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer -FEIM- (Argentina)
52. Dr. Nana Pratt, NOW(SL) (Sierra Leone)
53. Babita Basnet, Media Advocacy Group (MAG) (Nepa)
54. Rugiatu Luba Kamara, Mano River Women’s Peace Network, MARWOPNET (Sierra Leone)
55. Elaine Nonneman, Channel Foundation (USA)
56. Betsy Kawamura, Women4Nonviolence in Peace+Conflict Zones (USA)
57. Dolly Anek Odwong, South Sudan Women’s Peace Network (SSWPN) (South Sudan)
58. Sarah James Ajith, South Sudan Women General Association (South Sudan)
59. Esta Tina Ottman, Peace as a Global Language (Japan)