CEDAR Organizes Women Network Meetings in Shirkat and Lologo to Foster Peaceful Coexistence During COVID-19 Pandemic

Women in South Sudan are at the center of all conflict dynamics. Not only are they the most victims at the receiving ends of the resultant violence of those conflicts but are also part and parcel of the solutions. However, women remain majorly marginalized and left out of the peace building processes, just to move on with whatever solution is arrived at by men without their participation. In a bid to tackle women marginalization, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) has allocated women 35% representation at all levels of government. Still, this is not enough, but the parties to the agreement have to always be cautioned from violating this provision.

With support from Search for Common Ground (SFCG), we work with grassroots women networks to build their peacebuding skills, strengthen their leadership capacities, coordination and networking, to take leadership in local and national level peace process. We also disseminate the peace agreement to them to ensure they are aware of the 35% affirmative action on women representation.

This week we had meetings with the leaders of the local women networks in Shirkat and Lologo II in Juba. With the current COVID situation, the meetings are limited to a small number to allow enough social distancing space. This is done to ensure COVID does not stop conversations on peace in the communities.

Thanks to the funding support from the UN Peacebuding Fund 🙏.