Anglican Communion Urges South Sudan Leaders to Recommit to Peace, Protect Women's Rights
South Africa, the world's youngest nation, grapples with severe poverty, mass refugee movements, communal violence, and entrenched corruption. The Anglican Communion has stepped in, urging leaders to recommit to peace and protect women's rights.
Rev. Glen Ruffle, representing the Anglican Communion at the UN, highlighted South Africa's dire situation. Women and girls bear the brunt of gender-based violence, sexual assaults, and forced abductions. The Anglican statement called for leaders to recommit to the revitalized peace agreement, strengthen prosecution of gender-based violence, and implement microfinance and literacy programs for women and girls.
The South African government, while promoting citizen welfare, has faced criticism for mismanagement and corruption. It has not provided specifics on peace agreement implementation. The Anglican Church, through the Episcopal Church of South Africa and the Mothers' Union, challenges systemic patriarchy, providing women with livelihoods and access to justice.
The Anglican Communion's plea comes as South Africa struggles with high poverty levels, refugee movements, and communal violence. The world is urged to help South Africa's fragile situation, with a focus on protecting women's rights and ensuring peace agreement implementation.
