Women Advancement Organization Partners with Norwegian People Aid to Promote Peaceful Co-existence in South Sudan Through Cultural Festival
In a bid to foster peaceful co-existence and empower women and youth in South Sudan, the Women Advancement Organization partnered with Norwegian People Aid to organize a one-day cultural festival. The event, held under the theme “Cultural Festival: Promoting Our Arts for Peaceful People,” aimed at promoting awareness and supporting survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) in accessing the justice system.
Pia Philip, the Undersecretary in the National Ministry of Peacebuilding, emphasized the importance of building peaceful communities regardless of ethnicity. He commended the collaboration between the Women Advancement Organization and Norwegian People Aid in transforming youths from tribalism to promoting peace-building initiatives among themselves.
The Ministry of Peacebuilding, represented by Pia, expressed its commitment to working with partners to engage youths in productive activities that steer them away from criminal behaviors. Emphasizing the need for entrepreneurship training, he highlighted the role of supporting women and youths in sustaining their livelihoods and contributing to the development of the country.
Suzan Pasquale, the Executive Director of the Women Advancement Organization, outlined the organization’s efforts in training women in business entrepreneurship across various counties in South Sudan. She stressed the importance of empowering women with business skills to enable them to support their families financially and pay for their children’s education.
Henrik Stabell, the Country Director of Norwegian People Aid, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting South Sudan in sectors such as health, education, peace, and unity. He urged partners to collaborate in promoting peaceful co-existence and supporting the people of South Sudan in their journey towards total peace-building.
Beneficiaries from the Lemun Gaba women groups in Juba expressed gratitude for the support received, citing the knowledge gained in small business entrepreneurship as instrumental in enabling them to support their families and educate their children.
The event brought together representatives from Central Equatoria state government, the national government, and community members to celebrate the collaborative efforts of the Women Advancement Organization and Norwegian People Aid in promoting peace and empowerment in South Sudan.
Overall, the partnership between these organizations signifies a collective effort towards building a harmonious society where women and youth are equipped with the necessary skills to thrive and contribute to the peace and development of South Sudan.
