BOR – An advocacy workshop for women and youth empowerment, facilitated by INTREPID South Sudan (ISS) calls for an end to excessive taxation of small and medium scale enterprises and 20% youth representation in decision-making in Jonglei State.
More than 70 percent of South Sudan’s population is under the age of 30 years. But this demographic faces high unemployment, exacerbated by conflict and underdevelopment, which limits productive job opportunities and economic growth.
Participants also appealed to the National Legislative Assembly to fast-track the enactment of several empowerment bills including the Women Enterprise Development Fund, Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Youth and Sport Bill, and Family Bill.
The workshop further called for the immediate reopening of the state legislative assembly, and urged the creation of employment opportunities, including vocational training and recreational facilities and activities.
It also appealed for the resettlement of Bor Internally Displaced persons and urged the Government to mitigate corruption and invest in service delivery.
The forum supported by the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), analyzed implementation of Chapter Four of the 2018 peace agreement, identified setbacks women and youth are facing, including unemployment, financing constraints, over taxation, unfair competition between local small and medium scale enterprises and Foreign Direct investments and the prolonging effects of flooding.
The workshop further expressed concerns over unregulated exploitation of the fishing industry in the state.
