Power of Voices

Power of Voices 2021: Amplifying Women’s Leadership & Advocacy in South Sudan

| LAWANCI – SOUTH SUDAN | PAX Netherlands || ROSE ACINDHEL KACTHIEK |

Quarterly Workshop on Advocacy and Gender Equality in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

The Power of Voice Project aims to enhance advocacy skills and boost the confidence of women groups and other stakeholders in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, specifically in Aweil. This quarter, we conducted a workshop focusing on key objectives: articulating community issues, improving awareness strategies to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV), promoting gender equality in decision-making, and raising awareness about transitional justice.

Overview

The workshop was structured over three days, bringing together women from various groups, community leaders, and stakeholders. The total number of participants was 18, representing a diverse cross-section of the community, ensuring varied perspectives and experiences contributed to the discussions

Activity

Key Activities

1. Articulating Community Issues:

Participants were engaged in group discussions to identify and articulate pressing community issues. Through guided exercises, they examined local challenges such as access to education, healthcare, and the impact of cultural practices on women’s rights. This segment aimed to empower women to speak confidently about their experiences and advocate for their needs within the community.

2. Improving Awareness Strategies to Combat GBV:

We provided sessions led by experts on GBV, focusing on its causes, consequences, and the importance of community involvement in prevention efforts. Participants developed tailored awareness campaigns, utilizing local languages and culturally relevant methods to increase engagement and understanding within their communities.

3. Promoting Gender Equality in Decision-Making:

The workshop incorporated training on the principles of gender equality and the need for women’s representation in leadership roles. Case studies of successful female leaders were presented, inspiring participants to become advocates for their inclusion in local decision-making processes. Participants drafted action plans to increase women’s participation in community discussions and leadership structures.

4. Transitional Justice Awareness Insights:

A significant portion of the workshop addressed the relevance of transitional justice in the context of Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Experts shared insights on how transitional justice mechanisms relate to women’s rights and participation in peacebuilding efforts. This session facilitated discussions about local needs for justice and reconciliation, positioning women as vital contributors to these processes.

Outcomes

By the workshop’s conclusion, participants had:

Developed a clearer understanding of how to articulate community issues effectively.
Created awareness strategies tailored to combat GBV in their specific communities.
Identified concrete steps to advocate for gender equality in local decision-making processes.
Gained insights into transitional justice and its importance in fostering community resilience and peace.

Progress

Progress: general & timeline

Progress: General

Timeline

· Engaged WOMEN’S GROUPS

· Engaged other stakeholders

24^th April 2025

Progress: general & timeline

Delay of funds vs. Changes of prices. (Delay of funds caused differences of prices in the budget)
Unstable market prices in both levels (Center & states).
Transport issues (use of motorcycles for long distances & unstable prices of hiring)

Activity Reporting

Empowerment of Women Peace Buidlers and Women Activists – Lakes state & Western Bahr El Ghazal State

Date

Activity

Location

Participants (how male & how many female

Description & Results

Comments

24. April.2025

Grassroots

(ONE DAYS)

Empoering women to end

AWEIL

NBGS.

18WOMEN

Women were from line minsiries, organized forces, Business community and peace builders groups from different countiesn

Women Groups

And Other Stakeholders

Lessons learned

There is still a Clear gender inequality in the communities targeted at all levels of the states (Boma, payam, county and state).
Lack of protection of girls & women of the Targeted areas.
Abuses of women in business community (Not Considered)

Lessons learned

Women have desire to change their lives and live peacefully and positively with their counterparts.
Voice has power and it can bring an immediate change to life.
Engagements and discussions can foster peace and better women outlook to life.
Men need more of orientation programs towards issues affecting women’s life in the community.

Forward planning

Area of operation

Considerations

1.Norther Bahr El Ghazal State

· Need for more women empowerment.

· Massive awareness on social interaction & transformation

Lessons learned

One success story from the workshop was a group of women who successfully lobbied their local government to set up a GBV hotline for survivors to seek help and support. Another success story was of a young woman who was inspired by the workshop to run for a leadership position in her community, where she successfully advocated for more women to be included in decision-making processes.

Feedback and Next Steps

Feedback collected through surveys indicated that over 90% of participants felt more confident in their advocacy skills and committed to applying what they learned in their communities. Many expressed a desire for continued support and follow-up workshops to strengthen their newly acquired skills.

In the next quarter, we plan to:

Organize follow-up sessions to track progress on advocacy initiatives and awareness strategies developed during the workshop.
Facilitate networking opportunities for women leaders to share experiences and best practices.
Pursue partnerships with local organizations to enhance the sustainability of these initiatives.

Conclusion

The first quarter of the Power of Voice Project workshop was a significant step toward empowering women in Northern Bahr el Ghazal. By equipping them with advocacy skills and confidence, we can enhance their ability to influence community issues, combat GBV, promote gender equality, and contribute to transitional justice efforts. We look forward to building upon this foundation in the months to come.
This narrative report summarizes the achievements and impact of the workshop conducted, aiming to provide a clear reflection on the activities undertaken and their outcomes for the community of Aweil

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