By Sabri Dibaco
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has officially opened the first Constitutional Conference of the SPLM Women League.
He called for political participation and leadership as South Sudan prepares for the next general elections.
The conference, held in Juba under the theme “Empowered Woman, Empowered Nation,” brings together members of the SPLM Women League to review and strengthen the League’s constitutional framework, internal structures, and role in the political affairs of the ruling party.
According to a statement from the Office of the President, President Kiir urged women in the SPLM to take a more active role in shaping the country’s political future and to mobilise communities ahead of the elections.
“The empowerment of women is not only a matter of justice, but a necessity for national development and political stability,” the statement quoted President Kiir as saying.
The president emphasised that women constitute an important part of South Sudan’s population and should therefore have meaningful representation in political decision-making processes.
He encouraged members of the SPLM Women League to use the constitutional conference as an opportunity to strengthen unity, leadership, and coordination within the League.
“Women must continue to organise, participate, and contribute to the political transformation of our country,” President Kiir said, according to the statement.
The conference is also expected to examine the structures and mandate of the SPLM Women League and propose reforms aimed at making the organisation more effective in representing women within the party.
President Kiir further called on the League to mobilise women to participate actively in the electoral process, including voter registration, civic engagement and political activities.
The SPLM Women League is the women’s wing of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), the governing political party in South Sudan. It plays a role in mobilising women, promoting their participation in party activities, and advocating for their representation in political institutions.
Women remain underrepresented in many political and decision-making structures in South Sudan despite constitutional and peace-agreement provisions calling for increased women’s participation.
The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) provides for a minimum of 35 percent representation of women in various levels of government and public institutions. However, implementation of the affirmative-action principle has remained a major challenge.
The constitutional conference comes at a significant time as South Sudan moves toward elections scheduled for December 22, 2026, following years of political transition.
The SPLM Women’s League is expected to use the conference to strengthen its organisational structures and develop strategies to mobilise women ahead of the elections.
The meeting also provides an opportunity for women within the ruling party to discuss their roles in national political affairs and to push for greater representation in elected and appointed positions.
President Kiir’s message comes amid growing calls for women to play a more prominent role in South Sudan’s political and governance processes, particularly as the country prepares to transition from the prolonged transitional period to an elected government.