Eastern Equatoria State Governor, Louis Lobong Lojore, has called on women in the state and across South Sudan to reach out to their sisters living in refugee camps, urging them to return to their respective states.
Governor Lobong emphasized the importance of women engaging in agri-business and other economic activities to boost the economy and reduce dependency on aid.
The Governor made this appeal during a speech to thousands of people at Torit Freedom Square on Saturday, March 8, 2025, as part of the celebration of International Women’s Day. He stressed that there is no valid reason for South Sudanese citizens to continue living in refugee camps and that it is time for them to return home and contribute to the development of their communities.
“Women are the backbone of society, and it is crucial that we empower them to take the lead in economic diversification, especially in agri-business, so that they can compete and thrive in the business world,” Governor Lobong said.
“We must fight against tribalism, corruption, and idleness. It is time to stop relying on free aid, which is crippling Africa and South Sudan.”
The Governor also called on both men and women to separate family life from political positions, to avoid the strain that political differences can place on marriages. “Let love always win,” he added. “My encouragement to both men and women is to work together to reduce the cases of failed marriages, divorce, and loss of respect for a spouse that often arise due to unemployment and other societal pressures.”
Hon. Jennifer Nabongorika, the State Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, also spoke at the event, calling for increased awareness of women’s and girls’ rights and civic engagement. She emphasized the importance of women’s participation in society and the ongoing efforts to secure and expand equal rights, noting the significance of the women’s suffrage movement in shaping the country’s future.
“Women and girls must be aware of their rights and actively engage in promoting gender equality and social change,” Minister Nabongorika said. “Through awareness, we can overcome many of the challenges that women face and ensure that they are empowered to take leadership roles in all sectors of society.”
Eastern Equatoria State joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day under the theme: “Empowering Women and Girls to Promote Equality, Safety, and a Healthy Environment.
”The event was organized by the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare in collaboration with the national government, and held at Torit Freedom Square.
This year’s celebration underscored the need for a collective effort to ensure that women and girls are empowered to live free from violence and inequality, and to create opportunities for their participation in economic, social, and political spheres.
