UNMISS recently organized state-wide forum on the landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in Eastern Equatoria.
Eastern Equatorian women strive for political roles to shape a peaceful, prosperous South Sudan
“We can’t just keep talking. If we really want our voices to be heard, if we really want women’s full, inclusive participation in erasing the memories of civil war and ensuring that our children have a peaceful future to look…
A rapid response by UNMISS peacekeepers from Nepal has resulted in preventing a potential intercommunal clash between armed groups in Cueibet in the Lakes region of South Sudan.
Nepalese peacekeepers intervene to prevent intercommunal clash in Lakes
Within minutes of receiving warning of a potential clash between armed groups in Cueibet, Nepalese peacekeepers sprang into action, sending a team of highly trained troops to intervene and protect civilians in the area. Their…
Hazel De Wet from Namibia has served in both the humanitarian and peacekeeping arms of the United Nations. She is currently leads the Civil Affairs Division at UNMISS, which is tasked with promoting peaceful coexistence among all communities across South Sudan.
“It’s not a job for the faint-hearted” – Hazel De Wet, Chief, Civil Affairs, on serving for peace in South Sudan
Hazel de Wet has had a long career with the United Nations. One of the few women who have served with both the humanitarian and peacekeeping arms of the Organization, Hazel’s commitment to the displaced, the marginalized and…
On 12 November 2020, UNMISS supported an annual revival event by the Episcopal Chuech of South Sudan to disseminate messages of peace and reconciliation.
UNMISS amplifies messages of peace and reconciliation at annual religious event in Juba
“The economic crisis in our country is a direct effect of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Reverend James Fadamulla from the Episcopal Church of South Sudan. “At this year’s revival meeting our aim is to reassure them that we are…
Exodus Academy, a small school in Juba serves a community that relies on casual work and subsistent farming. Here, education is a luxury that most families cannot afford. UNMISS has a base not far from the school. For the past few years, peacekeepers have provided what support they can, creating a football field and playground, installing a water bore, providing desks, books, and engineering support. The latest initiative is a special book using photos and inspirational quotes from the children to raise funds to pay the fees of orphans and children in single-parent families, to provide food, books and improve the classrooms.
Peacekeepers give children the gift of education and a brighter future in war-torn South Sudan
The South Sudanese flag flies proudly above the tiny school on the outskirts of the capital Juba. The roof to the concrete block classrooms is propped up by pieces of wood, there are a few rickety desks, and the blackboard is…
There is always plenty to discuss to maintain peaceful relations between farmers and cattle herders during South Sudan's cattle migration season.
Agreement on conduct and mobile court to minimize conflicts during cattle migration season
Most representatives of farmers and pastoralists in the states of Warrap and Western Bahr el-Ghazal have agreed on a number of principles of conduct to reduce conflicts between the two groups ahead of the upcoming cattle…
Representatives from twelve political parties gathered in Aweil to discuss how to promote cooperation, social cohesion and national identity.
Political parties in Aweil reiterate commitment to jointly implement revitalized peace agreement
Representatives from twelve different political parties in Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State have reiterated their commitment to work together to implement the revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018. Some also…
Despite the pressures of her duties serving in the UNMISS Joint Operations Centre in Juba, Captain Stephanie Palfrey-Sneddon, an Australian peacekeeper, is using her rare spare time to lead a project to help local children access education at schools near the United Nations base.
“Until all of us are free, none of us are”: The story of peacekeeper Stephanie Palfrey Sneddon
Stephanie Palfrey-Sneddon has come full circle in her life. Born in Zimbabwe, she moved to Australia when she was eight years old. Twenty years later, she is back in her home continent serving as a United Nations peacekeeper…
Juba residents are currently being treated to important messages on the need to end violence against women. The public service announcements, recorded in several languages, are being aired by a promo truck cruising the streets of the capital.
UNMISS campaign to end violence against women and girls met with optimism in Juba
To mark the ongoing 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has embarked on an eight-day-long awareness-raising tour throughout the capital Juba. “My aim of…
Geetha Pious, Head of Field Office, UNMISS Juba, speaks about working in conflict zones, being a woman and shattering the glass ceiling.
“The glass ceiling comes into play very early in life”: Geetha Pious, Head of Field Office, UNMISS Juba
“People often talk about the glass ceiling in UN peacekeeping,” says Geetha Pious. “I think that the glass ceiling comes into play very early in life; societies bracket men and women into specific gender roles without…
38-year-old henna artist Hawa Adam starts her workday at 8:00 a.m. in the UN Protection Site in Malakal where she has established a name for herself as a henna artist. She is a single mother to six children and provides for them through her skills.
“When a family is hungry, a woman is the first to bear the burden”: Hawa Adam, henna artist, Malakal
Adjacent to the UNMISS base in Malakal is a protection site, home to some 30,000 South Sudanese who flocked here in 2013 to escape the devastation wrought by the civil war. It’s here that 38-year-old henna artist Hawa Adam…
Major Chetna and her fellow Indian peacekeepers receiving UN medals for their service.
Indian peacekeepers awarded medals for successful tour of duty in South Sudan
It is not commonplace for women to be part of India’s infantry, and that goes for the contingent of peacekeepers based in Malakal as well, where more than eight hundred soldiers were recently awarded medals for their service…