Women from various political parties and civil society organizations in South Sudan have come together to launch the Women Cross-Party Forum (WCPF) in Juba. The forum was officially launched on Tuesday under the theme, “Building a Strong Institutional Foundation for Women’s Cross-Party Collaboration.” This initiative aims to provide a platform for women to work across political affiliations, promoting dialogue, solidarity, and meaningful participation in decision-making processes. The launch brought together women political leaders, civil society representatives, development partners, and other stakeholders for consultations and discussions on women’s participation in democratic processes.
The Women Cross-Party Forum was established in March 2026 with the goal of increasing women’s representation in decision-making, leadership, and electoral processes. Chairperson of the South Sudan Cross-Party Forum, Hon. Victoria Benjamin Mosese, emphasized that despite coming from different political parties and civil society organizations, the women share a common goal. Mosese encouraged participants to translate the workshop’s discussions into practical actions within their respective organizations, stressing that the forum’s success would depend on the results achieved beyond the launch.
Hon. Lona James Elia, the forum’s founder and adviser, credited the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), particularly its Political Affairs Division, for supporting the process that led to the forum’s establishment. Elia highlighted that the initiative emerged from efforts to bring women together across political divisions to address shared challenges, including limited resources and barriers to political participation. She also called for transparent and inclusive efforts to mobilize resources to support aspiring women candidates who have leadership potential but lack the financial means to participate effectively in elections.
As South Sudan prepares for its anticipated December 2026 elections, the Women Cross-Party Forum is expected to play a crucial role in promoting women’s leadership and participation. Alawia Kai, a political affairs officer at UNMISS, welcomed the launch, describing the forum as a practical example of women from different political parties and civil society organizations working together. Kai emphasized that UNMISS remained committed to supporting initiatives that advance women’s participation and equal representation.
Prof. Dr. Julia Aker Duany, chairperson of the South Sudan Women’s Union and executive director of the Gender Equity and Women Leadership Programme at the University of Juba, urged women to recognize their existing leadership abilities and build on them through knowledge and experience. Duany emphasized that political participation involves engaging communities, communicating ideas, and advocating for citizens’ needs, including access to education, healthcare, food security, and economic opportunities.
The Women Cross-Party Forum is expected to provide a platform for continued dialogue, capacity-building, and coordination among women from different political backgrounds. Its effectiveness will depend on how members implement the commitments made during the workshop and sustain collaboration as South Sudan prepares for its anticipated December 2026 elections. The forum’s activities will include mentoring aspiring women leaders and mobilizing resources to support their participation in the electoral process.
The launch of the Women Cross-Party Forum marks a significant step towards promoting women’s leadership and participation in South Sudan’s democratic processes. The initiative has brought together women from different political parties and civil society organizations, providing a platform for them to work together and address shared challenges. As the country prepares for the December 2026 elections, the forum is expected to play a crucial role in promoting peaceful and inclusive elections.
Key points
- The Women Cross-Party Forum aims to strengthen women’s capacity to engage in electoral processes and promote peaceful and inclusive elections in South Sudan.
- The initiative was established in March 2026 to provide a platform for women from different political parties and civil society organizations to promote dialogue, solidarity, and meaningful participation in decision-making.
- The forum’s effectiveness will depend on how members implement the commitments made during the workshop and sustain collaboration as South Sudan prepares for its anticipated December 2026 elections.
