South Sudan has taken a significant step towards upholding human rights by acceding to four international conventions and passing crucial legislations into law. Among the Conventions are the Protocol to The African Charter on Human and Peoples` Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), which will significantly impact women`s rights and peace and security in the country. By ratifying the protocol, South Sudan has joined other African countries in committing to promoting gender equality and ending discrimination against women.
The Maputo Protocol, which was adopted in 2003, is a human rights instrument aimed at protecting and promoting women`s rights in Africa. It contains provisions that address a wide range of issues, including gender-based violence, reproductive rights, and access to education and healthcare. By acceding to the protocol, South Sudan has committed to implementing these provisions and ensuring that women`s rights are respected and protected.
The Maputo Protocol is particularly crucial for South Sudan, where women and girls are disproportionately affected by conflict and have faced numerous challenges in the wake of years of instability. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), one in three women in South Sudan has experienced gender-based violence, including rape and sexual assault.
Women are also often excluded from decision-making peace and political processes despite the provision for 35% women`s participation in governance processes in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. The implementation of the protocol will help to address these issues and promote gender equality in the country.The Maputo Protocol recognizes the important role that women play in conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding, and calls for their full and equal participation in all aspects of peace and security.
By acceding to the protocol, South Sudan has committed to aligning its laws and policies with the provisions of the protocol and promoting women`s meaningful participation in peace and security processes. Data from the International Peace Institute shows that women`s participation in peace negotiations increases the likelihood of a successful agreement by 20%. Women`s participation in peacebuilding processes has also been shown to lead to more sustainable and inclusive peace outcomes.
The ratification of the Maputo Protocol is also an important step towards ensuring the protection of women from all forms of violence. The protocol calls for the protection of women`s rights during armed conflict, including measures to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and ensure access to justice and support for survivors. This calls for the urgent establishment of the Hybrid Court to ensure all victims of conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan obtain justice
To consolidate this progress, it is crucial for South Sudan to expedite the constitution-making process to ensure that citizens have a say in shaping the country`s future. This process should be inclusive and participatory, particularly for women. The establishment of other key bodies, such as the Political Parties Council and the Reconstituted National Constitutional Review Commission, is also essential to pave the way for peaceful and democratic elections.
The move by South Sudan has been praised by the international community, with the African Union Peace and Security Council commending the country`s efforts to uphold human rights. However, there is still much work to be done to consolidate peace and stability in the country. The humanitarian situation in South Sudan remains dire, with millions of people in need of urgent assistance. Humanitarian actors are working tirelessly to reach those in need, but ongoing conflict and attacks against humanitarian personnel and assets are making their work increasingly difficult.
There are also concerns about ongoing sub-national conflicts in certain parts of the country, which threaten to undermine the progress that has been made towards peace and stability. These include inter-ethnic violence in Jonglei state, clashes between government forces and armed groups in Western Equatoria state, fighting between government forces and opposition groups in Unity state, and inter-communal violence in Lakes[6] state. The government must take concerted action to address the root causes of these conflicts and strengthen security institutions and accountability structures to ensure the safety and justice of all citizens.
To achieve lasting peace and stability in South Sudan, the government must continue to uphold human rights and the rule of law. The country must continue to make progress towards implementing the provisions of the Maputo Protocol and other international conventions, while also implementing the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
