By Emmanuel Mandella
The Catholic Bishop of Tombura-Yambio Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, has called upon South Sudanese families and leaders to revalue the dignity of women, equating their role in society to that of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ.
Speaking before thousands of faithful on Friday during the Feast of the Holy Mary at St. Mary Catholic Cathedral in Yambio, Bishop Kussala decried what he described as a dangerous erosion of respect for women in the country’s cultural and family life.
“Today, many men no longer see the value of women, some parents choose to educate their sons and neglect their daughters. But if you empower a woman, you empower the whole community, let every man first honor his mother, then extend that respect to every woman,” Bishop Kussala said.
At the same time, he challenged women to uphold humility and respect within families.
“Women must also value their husbands and their families. Respect is not one-sided it is mutual. That is how homes and society will stand firm,” he said.
The event, attended by thousands of Catholic faithful from across Western Equatoria, was marked by music, prayers, and the renewal of vows by Legion of Mary devotion group, turning the feast into a blend of spiritual celebration and social advocacy.
Central to Bishop Kussala’s address was a strong push for equal education for girls and boys, which he described as the only way to secure South Sudan’s future.
“Send both boys and girls to school,” he urged. “Educating girls means educating families and entire communities. They are the future of the nation.”
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), describing the message as a “moral compass” for South Sudan’s leaders noted; “When religious leaders raise their voice for women, society must listen,” Yakani said. “Women’s inclusion in governance, peace building, and development is not charity it is a right. The peace agreement itself calls for women’s participation, and it is time to honor that commitment.”
He added, “a family or a nation that invests in boys alone is building on shaky ground, I agree with the bishop, educating girls is the surest investment for a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.”
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which mediated the peace deal, has repeatedly urged Juba to speed up the implementation of gender provisions in the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council has stressed that women’s participation in governance and security reform is a cornerstone of long-term peace. The European Union (EU) delegation in Juba has further tied its funding to tangible progress in gender inclusion and empowerment.
“Let us see women as we see Mary, the Mother of Christ the mother of humanity and the mother of our faith, to dishonor women is to dishonor the foundation of our families and our nation”.
