South Sudanese Women Leaders Unite for Peace and Empowerment
In a groundbreaking initiative, the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) and the National Transformational Leadership Institute (NTLI) at the University of Juba brought together 10 women political leaders from across South Sudan for a two-day peer-to-peer conversation series. The intensive dialogue aimed to strengthen their capacity in peacebuilding and advance the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas in the country’s ongoing transition period.
The diverse group of participants, including Members of Parliament and seasoned lawmakers from the Women’s Caucus, came together to share their experiences and build sustainable networks for joint advocacy. They delved deep into key frameworks such as the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and UN Security Council Resolution 1325, exploring the intersection of WPS and YPS agendas.
Hon. Dr. Betty Achan Ogwaro emphasized the need for women to raise their voices in parliament, stating, “We need women not to keep quiet in parliament but raise their voice on what is happening and how it is affecting them.” The sessions saw a significant increase in participants’ knowledge on the frameworks shaping South Sudan’s peace process, with many learning from the four pillars of UNSCR 1325 and the five pillars of UNSCR 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security.
The peer exchange served as a space to build bridges, turning abstract policy into personal commitment and helping each woman see her place, power, and responsibility in shaping South Sudan’s future. Participants formed two advocacy groups, committing to champion the return of young mothers to school and advocating for immediate peace in South Sudan.
Despite the energy and inspiration, participants confronted the stark realities limiting women’s full participation in peacebuilding and governance in South Sudan. They identified persistent systemic barriers, including a lack of political will, chronic underfunding, and deep cultural and social barriers. Dr. Margaret Joel shared her personal experience of overcoming obstacles, while Hon. Betty shed light on the discrimination faced by married women from outside their native states.
The participants looked forward with bold and actionable recommendations, emphasizing the need to strengthen women’s coalitions across all sectors. Key recommendations included developing local and state-level action plans, establishing a dedicated fund to support women political leaders, and enhancing collaboration between parliamentarians and civil society organizations.
As the session concluded, Mrs. Deborah Job of NTLI left participants with a powerful reminder: measure progress, seek support, and keep moving forward with courage. The women who gathered built a collective vision for peace, one where every girl goes back to school, every woman has a seat at the table, and every voice matters. The road ahead remains complex, but these leaders have shown that South Sudan’s future is in determined hands.
The GNWP is grateful to Global Affairs Canada’s Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOP) for its support of this activity.
