There was plenty of joy to be had when women, and some men, got together to discuss the ever-important rights of women in all spheres of life. Photos: Roseline Nzelle Nkwelle/UNMISS
Both women and men in Bentiu to break the bias to achieve gender equality
UNITY STATE – “Gone are the days when women could not participate in dialogue and negotiations,” says Marien Nyarek Gatjiek, female leader at the camp for internally displaced persons in Bentiu. Befitting her positive…
“With the right support, women can achieve great things”—Christine Wani, Business Owner, South Sudan
EASTERN EQUATORIA - Christine Lado Wani runs an unusual business in Torit, Eastern Equatoria: She sells construction material. “I know it's strange to see a woman selling wooden planks, bamboo and other sundry items,” she…
Community members across Juba, South Sudan's capital city, gave cogent responses to a week-long mobile awareness campaign run by UNMISS on upholding the rights of women and girls. Photo by James Sokiri/UNMISS.
UNMISS-funded mobile campaign brings excitement, optimism on Women’s Day
JUBA – In the lead up to today’s International Women’s Day, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) ran a weeklong mobile awareness campaign in Juba, the capital city, with a single aim: To highlight the need for…
“Equal rights for women is a shared struggle across the world”—Rachel Gieu, Gender Rights Activist, South Sudan
JONGLEI - Rachel Adau Gieu is a fierce advocate for women’s rights in Jonglei, South Sudan. Her childhood was in no way a fairytale. She lost her father at an early age and says she owes a lot to her mother who brought up…
“Peace is an opportunity women must grab by the scruff of the neck” – Nancy Joseph, hairstylist, South Sudan
WARRAP STATE – “Since I was a child, I’ve wanted to become an engineer. Imagine how intriguing it would be to create things from scratch. Challenging your knowledge and inner creativity to come up with useful stuff, stuff…
Overcoming cultural taboos was a key topic when UN police were discussing reproductive health issues with women in Torit. Photos: Samira Y. Salifu/UNMISS
UNMISS police officers in Torit organize forum to discuss controversial sex education for girls
EASTERN EQUATORIA STATE - The words “sex education” have the potential to make some parents and biology teachers across the world shiver, blush, or both. Add a cultural context where mentioning contraceptive methods is more…
In Northern Bahr El Ghazal, at a recent forum held on the margins of this week’s International Women’s Day, women have called for stronger laws against perpetrators of sexually motivated violence as well as underaged or forced marriages. Photo by Emmanuel Kele/UNMISS.
Protecting women and girls focus of discussions to mark Women’s Day in Aweil
NORTHERN BAHR EL GHAZAL – Unceasing conflict and a traditionally patriarchal society has massively impacted women and girls across South Sudan, the world’s newest country. However, there is a renewed push from women…
In Malakal, local women's representatives make a strong case for enforcement of the 35 per cent women's representation in governance, decision-making and leadership roles, during a discussion held on the margins of International Women's Day. Photo by Samson Liberty/UNMISS
Women in Malakal lobby for equal rights to own land and participate in governance
UPPER NILE— “We have been neglected and denied our rights for far too long,” said Achol Nyibong, a women’s representative from Malakal, Upper Nile state, South Sudan. “Our ability to take decisions or hold leadership…
A unique workshop held by UNMISS in Mayom county, Unity state, sought to build collective will among community members to encourage those displaced by past conflicts to return to their original homes. Photo by Jacob Ruai/UNMISS.
In Mayom, new returnees are promised support by local authorities and UNMISS
UNITY—“The relative stability following the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement is something we have to capitalize on if we want displaced people to return to their original settlements and start rebuilding their lives…
In an innovative workshop facilitated by UNMISS, jointly supported by government partners, community leaders and women's representatives from all 10 counties in Western Equatoria, South Sudan, met to enhance their knowledge of customary and formal justice systems as a way to promote peace among communities. Photo by Martin Siba/UNMISS
UNMISS builds capacities among traditional leaders and women on access to justice systems
WESTERN EQUATORIA – Can traditional and community leaders be be successful intermediaries between local authorities and citizens? How can they bridge gaps between customary courts and the formal justice system? What needs to…
Following consistent conflict in 2020, which led to the deaths of 40 community members in a day, the people of remote Ulang county, Upper Nile, South Sudan, have taken on the onus of building sustainable peace and reconciliation from the grassroots. Photo by Nyang Touch/UNMISS.
Following a cycle of conflict, UNMISS reviews dividends from local peace initiatives in Ulang
UPPER NILE - “There is nothing to be gained from conflict and I, therefore, decided to be part of a solution that brings peace,” says Nyayual Nyach. Nyayual is one of the delegates on a panel tasked with reviewing a local…
Some 20 South Sudanese police officers have been trained by UNPOL officers serving with UNMISS on important investigative techniques to build their capacities in protecting citizens more effectively. Photo by Okello James/UNMISS.
UNMISS builds capacities of South Sudanese police officers in Torit on conducting thorough investigations
EASTERN EQUATORIA—“Part of our job as United Nations Police officers is to help our local counterparts in South Sudan to hone their policing skills,” says Namanya Apollo, an UNPOL officer serving with the United Nations…