By Baraka John
As women in Yambio commemorated International Women’s Day on Saturday, a strong call resonated for the state government to create a safer farming environment. This request arises as the rainy season begins, which is vital for agriculture in the region. The women’s appeal aims to address the increasing economic challenges facing South Sudanese families, many of whom struggle to meet basic needs.
During the celebrations at Yambio Freedom Square, Grace Apollo Musa, the Acting State Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, who also serves as the State Minister of General Education and Instruction, spoke candidly about the concerns of local women. She highlighted that while women are eager to engage in farming to support their families, insecurity in rural areas has left many hesitant to go out into the fields.
We women, we need peace. If they are telling us to go to the garden, we should go and do our cultivation. But we are requesting all men to take care of us, not to come and rape us and harm us in the garden. The Minister’s statement underscores the growing need for peace and security, which is essential for women to thrive and contribute to the local economy.
Christine Ngbaazande, a local advocate for women’s rights, praised the resilience of Yambio women. She applauded their efforts in cultivating crops and supporting their families but emphasized that women need peace to continue their vital work.
Thank you, because you cultivate and send your children to school. We, as women, need peace and a free environment so that we can go to the farm and cultivate, Ngbaazande said.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, Empowering Women and Girls to Promote Peace, Safety, Equality, and a Healthy Environment, resonated deeply with the women of Yambio.
With the rainy season just around the corner, the urgency for a secure place grows. Safe farming conditions will not only allow women to support their families but also help stabilize the region’s economy, which has been severely impacted by rising prices and limited access to basic goods.
The calls for greater security and support for women in agriculture have gained traction among local leaders, who are now being urged to prioritize this issue as they prepare for the upcoming farming season. In Yambio, the women are determined to cultivate, but they need peace to do so.