By Dedi Esbon Samuel - 30 0CT 2025
Despite intensified advocacy for gender inclusivity in decision-making, women’s representation, particularly in leadership roles in South Sudan, continues to lag.
This can be attributed to deeply ingrained cultural norms and insufficient support systems that persistently marginalize many women.
This issue is especially evident at the grassroots level, where female representation is minimal, and women are predominantly perceived as homemakers and sources of income.
Nancy Akanyo, a resident of Juba, attributed the low participation of women in government to deeply ingrained cultural norms and the societal perception that women are incapable of assuming leadership or political roles
“You would realize that in the society, we used to have societal stereotypes, whereby the society looks at a woman not to be capable of doing something. The society looks at a woman as not competent enough to hold a position. The society looks at a woman as somebody who is not supposed to be among men when they are talking or discussing issues, because they feel a woman is not able to make a decision. A woman is not able to lead,” she lamented.
She also said a lack of institutional and public support further discourages women from engaging in politics.
“We also have other factors like lack of support. Women are not supported. A woman may feel like going for a political race. She (woman) may feel like going for a leadership role. But because there is no support from the family, no support from the society, community, there is no support from the media, there is no support anywhere, the woman will be suppressed. And she will not be able to participate successfully,” Akanyo added.
Akanyo urges the government and community leaders to create opportunities for women to share their views, particularly in decision-making processes at both governmental and community levels.
Viola Louis, a women’s representative from the Kator area council, echoed these sentiments. She noted that many women are hesitant to participate in leadership due to fear of their husbands and cultural beliefs that discourage women from speaking in public.
Viola, who leads a small women’s discussion group, stated that their group has seen a significant decline in attendance because many women were prevented from participating by their husbands
“Indeed when we started our association, it was so challenging. Because it was hard for women to come and join. Women no longer want to talk about their developmental projects. Why? Because they still have those old thoughts that when the man says don’t go out, you obey. When the man says those groups are full of backbiting, the woman will agree,” she explained.
According to Viola, many women in South Sudan adhere to cultural norms that dictate a man’s word is final, leaving little room for opposition.
She stressed the need for women to have more freedom in order to share their experience in the upper level of the government.
The Constitution mandates at least 25% representation of women in legislative and executive bodies, a figure later reinforced to 35% in the 2018 revitalized peace agreement. The Local Government Act also encourages inclusive local governance and women’s involvement in local government structures.
Despite these legislative foundations, there are significant gaps in implementation.
Zekia Musa Ahamed, a disability rights activist and Board member of the Grassroots Women Network, stated that achieving the 35% quota for women hinges on their presence in policymaking positions.
According to Ms. Zekia, when women are in decision-making roles, policy implementation becomes much easier
“Women are always peacemakers, whether they’re able or disable, they’re peacemakers. That’s why on the issue of policies and implementation of the 35% women representation, it’s even better to have more women in the decision making positions,” she said.
For her part, Hellen Ngaidok Lokurnyang, a lawmaker representing the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) at the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), believes that illiteracy is one obstacle hindering women from participating in politics
“One of the issue is about the low level of education for women in South Sudan. When you are to see the percentage of women who are literate in our country, it’s about three percent which is so small and it becomes very difficult for them to participate in politics,” the MP explained.
When asked how some women in the various arms of the government, especially the Legislature, attained their positions, Ngaidok said that the majority of women in parliament came through their husbands’ tickets, for instance, those whose husbands died during conflicts.
She further stated that other women also came through political parties’ tickets, a move that calls for anyone interested in politics to follow suit.
“You know most of the women are elected on the tickets of their husbands. If you are to see the number of women who are particularly in the parliament, most of them are widows and because they come in the place of their husbands who have passed away,” said Ngaidok.
Meanwhile, the Head Chief of Mangala, Pios Tombe, said while cultural norms in some communities may have limited women’s participation in political leadership at the grassroots level, he believes the primary reason is a lack of sensitization.
According to him most women are unfamiliar with politics, which prevents them from engaging in political processes. Instead, they tend to participate in community meetings or join women’s groups, commonly referred to as Rabita (Associations).
Asked whether cultural norms have prevented women from joining politics, especially in his Bari Community, Tombe said “no” instead, he reveals that in the past, women were not exposed to political matters.
“From the political side, I think in the past there’s nothing like politics. Politics appeared just recently. So, now politics is a personal opinion, whether a man or woman. But I don’t think cultural norms can prevent someone from joining politics,” he said.
The Head Chief further noted that with modernization and increased access to education, some women have begun to take part in politics.
“Actually, in the grassroots level, people did not understand what politics is, especially the women. But thank God we have some women in the town and the educated one are now trying to join politics.”
Sunday Mogga, the Executive Director of Grassroots Women Network, a national women led organization attributed the genesis of women marginalization to the societal perception
“All I can say is that there’s chance given to women but it’s too small. The first challenge that affects women’s ability is the way the society describes the two gender. This is a woman and this is a man. Secondly, the society still has negative thoughts about women participation in leadership,” she noted.
She emphasized that women have been overlooked in various fields, from the community level to economic participation, as well as being denied their right to education.
“All these issues I have just mentioned are all connected to the cultures and traditions. There are negative cultures that do not give women their rights. Since from the beginning, the work is divided for men and women. They see women as source of income.”
Furthermore, she noted that to participate in political positions, women need capacity-building training to sensitize and equip them for leadership roles.
The activist also encouraged women to join political parties as a way to prepare for leadership positions, particularly within the government.
Considering that South Sudanese women make up about 52% of the total population, according to the National Bureau of Statistics 2021 Population Estimation Survey, it is crucial to include them in the country’s decision-making processes for the progress of the nation.
“Most women we see in politics are those who are already middle age. So, women need capacity building trainings. Once they’re sensitized, and they know their rights, whey will know good and bad and automatically change,” said Mogga.