Ambassador Pelle graces the Women in Aviation Conference in Juba
On Wednesday, the European Union Ambassador to South Sudan, H.E. Pelle Enarsson, attended the official opening of the three-day Women in Aviation conference in Juba alongside Dr. Addis Ababa Othow, Governor of the Central Bank of South Sudan (BoSS); and Hon. Emmanuel Rabi Mujung, Governor of Central Equatoria State (CES).
As a chief guest and one of the conference's main sponsors, Ambassador Enarsson emphasised the importance of including and equipping more women in aviation, saying women are more reliable in terms of aviation security and smooth operations.
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"As a long-standing partner of the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) and a supporter of gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, we welcome and support this conference," said Pelle. “Encouraging more women to enter the aviation sector, whether in air traffic control, ground handling, or the cockpit, will help bridge the current gender gap in this sector, promote equal participation, and create new economic opportunities. Women in aviation can be role models whose positive impact extends beyond their own sector.”
According to Ambassador Enarsson, growth in the aviation sector brings new market opportunities, better connectivity, and high-quality jobs, as well as promoting the tourism sector.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of the SSCAA, Mr Dafalla Habib thanked the conference's sponsors: the European Union Delegation, BoSS and NAVPASS. He also praised the significant contributions of women in aviation and encouraged more women to join the sector. "Today, we believe in women more than we believe in ourselves — the men in aviation," said Habib, to a round of applause from the roughly 70 attendees, most of whom were women in aviation or aviation students.
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“Women's inclusion is not just a political agenda; it is also an important requirement for any social transformation. The Bank of South Sudan will support the outcomes of this conference,” said Bank Governor Dr Othow.
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The guest of honour, Governor Rabi, emphasised the importance of the aviation sector in providing national connectivity, humanitarian access, trade, and regional integration. “Yet women's participation in this sector has long been limited by social, cultural, and institutional barriers. This conference reminds us that we must work together — government, private sector, development partners and civil society — to dismantle these barriers and open new doors of opportunity for our daughters, sisters and mothers who aspire to contribute to aviation,” he said. “Furthermore, I urge development partners, international agencies and organisations to support the South Sudan Women in Aviation Association by offering resources, exchange programmes and technical assistance to enhance the skills and confidence of female professionals.”
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The three-day conference, which is taking place at the premises of the Bank of South Sudan, was organised by Ms Apiu De Maiwak, the chairperson of the South Sudan Women in Aviation Association with support from the European Union, NAVPASS, SSCAA and BoSS.
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Between 2012 and 2013, the EU conducted a 19-month Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operation called the EU Aviation Security Mission. The mission aimed to enhance aviation security and prevent deliberate acts of unlawful interference against airports, aircraft, crew and passengers. The mission provided assistance and advice to the South Sudanese authorities, helping them establish an aviation security organisation within the Ministry of Transport and strengthen security at Juba International Airport. The mission also trained and mentored security services, providing advice and assistance on aviation security.
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