He challenged women in the country that gained independence from Sudan in July 2011 to demonstrate dutifulness, and show that they can realize much “together with men.”
“Let’s continue to respect women to defend their rights and work together in order to push this country ahead,” the South Sudanese Catholic Priest said on the eve of IWD 2013 that was driven by #EmbraceEquity campaign theme aimed at getting “the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren’t enough”.
During the February 3-5 ecumenical visit to South Sudan, Pope Francis called for the protection and advancement of women in the East-Central African nation, where rape has reportedly been a weapon of war, child brides are common and most girls do not reach secondary education.
"Please, protect, respect, appreciate and honor every woman, every girl, young woman, mother and grandmother. Otherwise, there will be no future," Pope Francis said during his encounter with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Freedom Hall in Juba on February 4.
In the March 7 interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Mbikoyo described South Sudanese women as “the hope” of the country. He said, “Women are the hope of this country as the Pope said because their work is being recognized and appreciated all over the world.”
“Women and girls need to be protected from all forms of aggression,” the Catholic Priest said, and added, “We have to understand that women have both soul and body; once we know these aspects then we shall be able to coexist and be able to work together.”
He went on to emphasize the need “to protect the women and girls from violence because they are the most vulnerable people when there is violence in the country.”
“Women’s rights and dignity need to be protected because they have the right to life, education, freedom of speech, and protection,” the Director of CODEP emphasized, and lauded the CDTY for insisting on the need to value “women very much because their contribution to the Church has been tremendous.”
“Our Bishop is doing a lot to promote and empower women because most of our employees are women,” Fr. Mbikoyo told ACI Africa, and added, “They need to be empowered to help other women.”
The South Sudanese Catholic Priest further called on the women in the country “to protect the trust and hope that the world has in them.”
