By Peter Kuol Kuch
Women organization has launched a six-month project aimed at strengthening leadership and political participation in Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
Women Progress Organization (WPO), seeks to empower women, boost their confidence, and promote inclusive space for women’s voices and informed decisions.
The launch workshop, held at Kabarzee Women’s Centre in GPAA, brought 48 participants that include women and youth representatives.
Those institutions include the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MGCSW), GPAA Peace Commission, Legislative Council, Women Union, police, Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), Kabarzee Women Association, traditional authorities, youth, and religious groups.
Speaking during the event, Mr. Yien Chuol, the WPO Program Director, urges all stakeholders to collaborate in fostering a society where women have equal opportunities in leadership.
“We must work together to build a more equitable society where women play a vital role in decision-making processes,” Yien said.
He also thanked UNDP and the UN Peacebuilding Fund (UN-PBF) for supporting the project under the PaCC III initiative.
In his remarks, Mr. Joseph Konyi, acting chairperson of the GPAA Human Rights Commission, emphasized the urgency of the project:
“Women remain underrepresented in nearly all institutions in GPAA, even at the grassroots. I thank WPO and UNDP for launching this initiative that aims to change that reality by strengthening women’s voices and participation,” he said.
Mama Akello Cham, Deputy Speaker of the GPAA Legislative Council, highlighted the existence of strong legal frameworks that advocate for women’s participation, including the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which mandates 35% representation for women, as well as international commitments like UNSCR 1325 and CEDAW.
“We have enough laws, but why are they not being implemented? “We need continuous dialogues to address this gap,” she said.
The Acting Chairperson of the GPAA Peace Commission, Mr. Nyany Korok, expressed the women’s critical role in community peacebuilding and mediation efforts.
He praised the Kabarzee Women Association for their work in reconciling conflicting youth groups, describing them as a model of women’s leadership in action.
The WPO’s initiative, with the support of international partners, sets a hopeful tone for inclusive development and gender equity in one of South Sudan’s most underserved regions.
The project launch marks a significant step toward addressing the structural barriers facing women in GPAA, as it works to amplify their voices and influence in governance, politics, and peace processes.
This is the first Project WPO implements in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area following its operation this year in Pibor.
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