Ayaa Benjamin Warille

Ayaa Benjamin Warille is a South Sudanese politician who is also the Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. She was appointed into the position when the Transitional Government of National Unity was formed in February 2021.

Quotes

• Conflict has brought poverty, and in our communities, girls are seen as a source of wealth. We are working with chiefs and community leaders to end child marriage because it remains one of our biggest problems. We’ve made progress, but much more needs to be done to ensure equal rights for men and women in South Sudan
  • [1]
• As a country, we need to confront this issue and find ways to address it. Women need to be active participants in political spaces, but in our culture, politics is often seen as a ‘dirty game,’ and many prefer to avoid it to maintain their integrity.
  • [2]
• We have developed policies to protect women’s rights at the national level. Women bear the brunt of suffering during conflict, but we are not just victims—we are also active players who should be involved in preventing conflict.
  • [3]
• This perception is a cultural barrier that prevents women from engaging in politics. We encourage women at the grassroots and in urban centers to change their attitude toward politics.”
  • [4]
• Women are particularly vulnerable during the war, especially regarding issues like rape. As a Ministry, we’ve created policies and are actively telling men to stop violating women’s rights, especially in times of conflict.”
  • [5]