By Alan Clement
The Deputy Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, David Yau Yau, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a free and inclusive media landscape in South Sudan.
The Deputy Minister made the remarks during a media related event in Juba organized by stakeholders.
Yau Yau said the ministry’s policies are geared toward promoting inclusivity and access to information for all citizens.
“Our ministry is committed to supporting a free, responsible, and diverse media landscape,” Yau Yau said.
“We will champion policies that remove structural barriers hindering the effective participation of women in media professions and political life,” he added.
Yau Yau further stressed that empowering women journalists is essential for transparency and civic participation, noting that female media professionals “bring unique perspectives that can amplify the voices, rights and needs of women in the constitutional and electoral discourse.”
The deputy minister also disclosed that the government recognizes women as central to the country’s political transition, which includes constitutional making and upcoming electoral processes.
“Women, who constitute more than half of our population, must be at the very heart of this journey,” the Deputy Minister added.
The Deputy Minister’s remarks were reinforced by Ndubisi Obiorah, Senior Political Affairs Officer at UNMISS, who noted that women in the media play a critical role in shaping South Sudan’s democratic narrative.
“Through reporting, storytelling, and other forms of public engagement, women journalists bring perspectives that hold institutions accountable and foster inclusivity and respect for human rights,” Obiorah said.
Similarly, Kasumi Nishigaya, Chief of the UNMISS Gender Advisory Unit, emphasized that women’s participation in media is linked to the broader Women, Peace, and Security agenda under UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
“Participation must go hand in hand with protection and prevention,” Nishigaya said.
“Women journalists must be supported to take on leadership roles such as spokespersons and editors-in-chief,” she added.
Yau Yau concluded by calling for collaboration across sectors to advance gender equality in media and ensure that women’s voices are heard and respected in national decision-making.
“The future of South Sudanese democracy depends on inclusivity,” he said.
“Using the power of information and communication, we can build a nation where every citizen especially women is empowered to participate meaningfully,” he added.