Government representatives, civil society organisations and development partners in South Sudan are pushing for a national action plan to accelerate the implementation of the Maputo Protocol, amid concerns over slow progress since the country ratified the women’s rights treaty in 2023.
The proposal was discussed during a one-day stakeholder meeting convened by Global Voices Organisation (GVO), with support from Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), bringing together government institutions, women’s rights groups, civil society organisations and representatives of persons with disabilities.
Josephine Chandiru Drama, Executive Director of GVO, said implementation efforts had remained slow, partly due to funding constraints, despite earlier commitments to develop a national action plan.
She said the proposed technical working group would coordinate advocacy, support legal and policy reforms, and guide the development of a practical roadmap for implementing the treaty.
Nyakuoth Top Kuek, representing Norwegian Church Aid, said establishing the working group would only make a difference if members remained committed to delivering concrete results.
Meanwhile, Betty Okech, Director of Child Protection at the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, called for stronger coordination between government and civil society, stressing that an action plan was essential to translate the treaty into practical programmes.
She also urged development partners to work closely with government institutions and ensure that consultations and implementation activities were properly coordinated.
South Sudan ratified the Maputo Protocol in February 2023 and deposited its instruments of ratification with the African Union in June of that year.
However, stakeholders say efforts to domesticate and implement its provisions have faced delays.
The protocol provides a regional framework for protecting women’s rights, promoting gender equality and addressing discrimination and violence against women.
Stakeholders say the proposed working group and national action plan could help bridge the gap between South Sudan’s commitments and practical measures to protect the rights of women and girls.
