Government officials and traditional judges in the Abyei Area located in the border area between Sudan and South Sudan are considering adding women's representatives on traditional courts for the first time.

In Abyei's Dinka society, only men can take decisions in the traditional courts. Women's groups have called for an end to the current rules excluding women from the legal process.

“At the moment, some women in particular feel they are disadvantaged if they appear before a court, where they are judged exclusively by men. The ‘Padang’ women’s group has been a strong voice in demanding change,” reported Abyei Today.

The group's spokeswoman Nyankiir Chol Piok, said it was ‘illogical’ to bar women from becoming court members. She said women were prepared to hold peaceful rallies and demonstrations if change was not forthcoming.

Some chiefs have reportedly welcomed the idea. The chief of the Achak clan of the Dinka Ngok, Chol Pur, favours allowing women to play a part in courts. He said they should set up a body to choose who should sit as court members. Likewise, the chief of the Agok traditional court, Lal Kon, said women had special skills which they could bring to court.

Abyei Today further reported that the Abyei Area's deputy chief administrator, Deng Bol Athuai, expects the legal system to be restructured to allow the participation of women following the arrival of Abyei’s new judge, who has not yet been able to move to the region because of ill-health.