South Sudan Women Call for Almost Quarter of Roles in Government

South Sudanese women should hold seven ministerial positions in the country’s new transitional government as well as the speaker role in parliament, a coalition of 18 organizations said.

The administration due to be formed by the end of January should “show legitimate commitment to attain balance” when it assigns its 30 ministers, Rita Lopidia, executive director of the EVE Organisation for Women Development, told reporters Thursday in the capital, Juba. She was flanked by representatives of 17 other local women’s organizations.

South Sudan’s government and rebels have agreed to form a government by Jan. 22, in a step to end two years of civil war that have left tens of thousands of people dead.