The goal of this project is to promote the implementation of the October 2018 Peace agreement in South Sudan through provision of livelihood opportunities for women to strengthen local capacities for peace. A strategic gap in peace-building in South Sudan is the lack of links between national and local women-led initiatives. This project will create socio-economic empowerment where women become self-sustaining members of the community and influence social cohesion, stability and lasting peace.
The signing of the revitalized peace agreement in October 2018 in South Sudan has raised hopes for the local communities and has included provision of livelihood opportunities for youth who face the risk of being militarized and exploited by ethnic elites. However, little has benefited women, who otherwise have the potential to influence youth and men, and strengthen local capacity for peace and who have suffered tremendously from the effects of the 5 year conflict.
The project builds on the potential of women to work inclusively across division lines. Provided with diverse livelihood options, women both become economically empowered, supporting households income stabilization and participate more in the community, and enhance their leadership skills. Women leaders can contribute to inclusive decision making, establish powerful networks for civic action and advocate for national policies on gender-sensitive conflict mitigation and prevention.
The long term impact of the project will be demonstrated by improvement of quality of women's participation in local and national peace efforts.
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).