Kofi Ampeah Woode
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT) 11 has participated in the celebration of the annual International Women’s day on Friday 8 March 2024 under the national theme “Accelerate Gender Equality through Inclusion and Access to Productive Resources for Women and Girls through Economic Empowerment”.
The celebration commenced with a route march with GHANBATT Band providing melodic tunes through some principal routes in Unity State. The Guest of Honor for the event, the Acting Governor of Unity State, His Excellency (HE) Gatluak Tudia, in his remarks stated that women play vital roles in the society therefore, there was the need exceeding to encourage and protect them.
He indicated that, the world is evolving at a fast pace and has contributed to bringing women gradually into the lime light where most women find themselves at the helm of governance and businesses among others. He encouraged all women to continue to do their best regardless of the challenges they may face.
The newly appointed Head of Field Office (HoFO) for UNMISS Sector Unity, Mr Kwame Dwamena-Aboagye in his remarks on behalf of the Mission Leadership expressed pleasure to be part of the celebration.
He added that the exhibition of the respective skills by the women of South Sudan in the areas of Agriculture, drama among others during the event was a feather in their cap, and also commended the Government of South Sudan and the Humanitarian Agencies for their contributions and efforts in empowering women in Unity State to be productive and economically stable.
The Sector Unity Commander – Brigadier General (Brig Gen) Emmanuel Rugazora in his address expressed that UN recognizes the need for gender mainstreaming across the areas of the Mission’s mandate to ensure full, equal and effective participation of women.
He added that, UN member states adopted in 2018 the Uniform Gender Parity Strategy 2018/2028 which set a goal for 15% for women participation in the military contingent, referencing that strategy, he mentioned that Sector Unity actively promotes women participation in various tasks both in Troop Contributing Countries and at the Sector Headquarters.
He then commended all uniform personnel within sector unity for their contribution to the celebration. He further noted that their participation in peacekeeping has led to tremendous positive outcome especially in CIMIC activities and other programs involving women who were victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV).
In attendance were the Head of Field Office of UMISS Unity State, the Acting Governor of Unity State, the Sector Unity Commander, representatives of the various Troop and Police Contributing Countries, Enablers and Civilian Staff of Sector Unity Field Office as well as representatives of the various Humanitarian Agencies.
Credit: UNMISS GH 11 PIO
