SUDAN: Kiir Names Seven Women Ministers in New Regional Cabinet

South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir Mayardit Salva Kiir Mayardit (born 1951) is the President of autonomous Government of Southern Sudan and the successor to the post of Vice President of Sudan, following the death of John Garang in a crash on 30 July 2005. , on Monday named seven women ministers in the new regional cabinet, 6 months into referendum.

The increment in the appointment of more female ministers in the new regional cabinet is viewed as presidential response to pledges made during election campaign rallies to increase women participation in the government at all levels if elected, to 30% from 25%. Women participation in the SPLM SPLM Sudan People's Liberation Movement
SPLM Shielded Planar Layered Media led government of Southern Sudan, formed after the inked of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement saw representation of 25% stipulated in the deal. Their struggles alongside men during war, won them wide spread recognition, that SPLM leadership formerly under late Dr. John Garang John Garang de Mabior (June 23, 1945 – July 30, 2005) was the vice president of Sudan and former leader of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army. Early years De Mabior vowed to incorporate them into all key decision making positions. Salva Kiir Mayardit had in number of occasions, since becoming president of the semi autonomous regional government of southern Sudan, said he would only append To add to the end of an existing structure. his signature to approve any association or committee with women membership. "I would only recognize any association that includes women as legal body. Therefore, I called on all government and private institutions ensure women participate in all functions and assignments without distinction on gender bases," President Kiir told mammoth crowd gathered to celebrate international women day in 2007 in Juba. In a presidential decree appointing new cabinet on Monday, he named Deputy SPLM Secretary General for southern sector, Dr. Anne Itto Leonardo, former Western Equatoria State Governor, Juma Nunu Kumba Nunu Kumba is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Misraq Welega Zone, Nunu Kumba is bordered on the southwest by the Didessa River which separates it from the Illubabor Zone, on the northwest by Jimma Arjo, on the north by Guto Wayu, on the
..... Click the link for more information., Awut Deng Achuil, Agnes Kwaje Lasuba, Dr. Priscilla Nyannyang, Ms. Mary Jervas Yak and Nyalok Tiong Gatluak as new women ministers. More seats for women would be reserved in undersecretaries and directorates due to be formed and appointed soon after taking oath of the newly appointed ministers. Nyandeng Chol Yak, a woman activist in Akon, Warrap State, lauded appointment made by the regional government, saying president Kiir is proofing his words. "I thanked President Kiir for standing by his promises. This is the true leadership and I congratulate him for taking this decision in recognition of women role in development of the nation," said Ms. Yak. Chol Deng Juac from Juba also told Sudan Tribune that appointment of more women into the cabinet shows commitment of the government of southern Sudan to fully implement pledges to increase their participation in key decision making positions. "Women deserve such appointments because most of the victims during war were them and the children. Their roles have to be recognized and rewarded," said Juac congratulating president Kiir for formation of the new government. (ST)

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