IOM facilitates a women-led dialogue in Malakal

Malakal, South Sudan – Following a request by women leaders during community consultative engagements after the outbreak of recent violence among communities in Malakal, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the generous support of European Union International Partnerships (EU INTPA) Project, facilitated a two-day women-led peace dialogue in Malakal Town, bringing together 60 women leaders including female members of parliament

During the two-day peace dialogue, women mentioned persistent violence against women and girls, tribal prejudice as setbacks hindering their socioeconomic, educational and political advancements.

“These problems have divided and ruined women’s leadership, inadequate healthcare services which increasingly aggravate women’s health conditions resulting to stillbirths, deaths during childbirth, malnutrition amongst pregnant and lactating mothers caused by protracted hunger in Malakal” one of the participants reiterated.

Other drawbacks raised during the workshop hindering women participation in communication affairs include high rate of illiteracy amongst women, that makes them be manipulated by men and limits women’s voices, insecurity, that exacerbates women’s poor conditions. They also raised a concern on the high rate of crimes perpetrated by outlawed boys in Malakal. They emphasized that whenever there is a small dispute in Malakal, the outlawed boys (locally known as niggas) take an advantage of the situation and attack anyone.  

“We are all ready to go to school if opportunities for an adult education come to Malakal. Before 2013, the Ministry of Education through education partners opened three accelerating learning programs in Malakal, one in Mudria, another one in Hai Malikia and Hai Salam. We would have graduated now if the war had not disrupted everything in Malakal. We believe that if women are educated, we will be able to air our voices in community affairs” said one participant during the workshop.

The women also reiterated that they would continue to advocate against tribal prejudice and political marginalization in Upper Nile State.

“We cannot say we are not part of the conflict happening in Malakal. We have contributed in many ways. A woman is a mother, and a mother should work for peace because peace makes children safe and happy. Let’s go out and talk to our husbands, children, brothers and neighbours that we must love ourselves and promote peace and peaceful co-existence in Malakal. We must raise our voices for peace and stability to reign. We must return Malakal to its original state” said one of the participants, as her closing remarks.