The Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) in partnership with Oxfam has initiated a two-day workshop aimed at enhancing women's participation in peacebuilding, security, and leadership as South Sudan prepares for its inaugural general elections. Funded by the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), the workshop gathered 50 participants from women-led organizations, community women leaders, young women, and other stakeholders from Central Equatoria State.
The workshop, themed "From Participation to Leadership: Empower Women for Peace and Security," focuses on critical areas such as understanding the electoral context and women's participation, transformative leadership, women, peace and security, and the localization of UNSCR. YWCA Executive Director Namisio Joy Bage emphasized the urgent need for women's active involvement in leadership and political processes as South Sudan moves towards elections.
During the opening session, Bage urged women, particularly young women, to take on more active roles in leadership and the country's political processes. She stressed the importance of stronger mentorship between experienced women leaders and younger women to build confidence and create pathways for young women in leadership roles. Bage encouraged participants to utilize the workshop to share experiences, build networks, and develop practical strategies to increase women's participation in leadership and peacebuilding.
Oxfam Acting Country Director for South Sudan, Asamtnew Kasa, highlighted the essential role of women's participation in building lasting peace and credible democratic processes in South Sudan. He emphasized that true democracy and lasting peace cannot be achieved without the active involvement of women. Kasa also pointed out that electoral periods can expose women to heightened political and security risks and stressed that women should not be treated as passive observers of peace and political processes.
Kasa further underscored the relevance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, emphasizing that its principles should translate into practical measures to protect women and strengthen their participation in public life. The workshop aims to focus on transformative leadership, women-led safety and early-warning mechanisms, and strategies to ensure women's concerns remain part of the electoral process.
The workshop is a significant step towards promoting women's empowerment and participation in peacebuilding and leadership in South Sudan. With South Sudan preparing for its first general elections, women's organizations and civil society groups continue to advocate for greater inclusion of women and young people in political and peacebuilding processes. The initiative seeks to address the existing gender gap in leadership and ensure that women's voices are heard in the country's future.
The two-day workshop provides a platform for women to speak openly, build solidarity, and develop practical solutions to enhance their participation in leadership and peacebuilding. By fostering collaboration and mentorship, the workshop aims to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women to take on leadership roles and contribute to building a better future for South Sudan.
Key points
- The workshop focuses on critical areas such as transformative leadership and women's participation in peacebuilding and security.
- Women's participation is essential to building lasting peace and credible democratic processes in South Sudan.
- The initiative seeks to address the existing gender gap in leadership and ensure that women's voices are heard in the country's future.
