3381: Community Conversations show: Women and their independent vote in elections: Can women vote for candidates of their choice, or will their decisions be influenced by men?

As South Sudan prepares for its first-ever general elections, the political atmosphere is heating up. Candidates are declaring their ambitions for various positions, from governorships and parliamentary seats to county commissions and other elective offices. Women, too, are stepping into the race.
But as the country moves towards the polls, one critical question remains: Will women be free to vote for candidates of their choice, or will their decisions be influenced by husbands, male relatives, friends, political parties, or community interests?
In this episode, Lorna Merekaje,an award-winning South Sudanese human rights defender, civil rights activist, and peace advocate who is also the Secretary General of the South Sudan Democratic Engagement, Monitoring, and Observation Program explore the barriers women face and how they can confidently exercise their right to vote independently.