South Sudan Young Women Urged to Take Active Role in Politics and Peace building
Young women in South Sudan have been urged to actively engage in leadership, politics, and peace building efforts ahead of the upcoming 2026 elections. The call came during a three-day women’s leadership workshop supported by UN Women, held in Juba.
During the closing ceremony, Hon. Pia Philip Michael emphasized the importance of boldness and determination for young women aspiring to leadership roles. She shared her personal journey, recalling how, at age 15, she walked from the Central African Republic to Uganda in search of education despite numerous hardships. She attributed her resilience and decision-making to her rise into national leadership.
“Nobody will invite you into politics unless you invite yourselves,” Hon. Pia urged the participants. She encouraged women to take proactive steps toward leadership and to engage fully in decision-making processes, rather than settling for symbolic roles within political parties. She challenged young women to aspire for influential positions such as chairperson, deputy chairperson, or secretary-general.
Dr. Peter James Wani highlighted the social, economic, and cultural barriers that hinder women’s political participation, including limited access to education, financial resources, and societal support. He acknowledged that women have historically contributed significantly to South Sudan’s independence and nation-building efforts.
“Women’s participation in politics is not new,” Dr. Wani noted. “Many women have played vital roles in shaping our nation.” He pointed out that South Sudan’s laws provide for a 35 percent affirmative action quota for women and encouraged participants to join political parties aligned with their aspirations. “Women need to be represented at the highest levels of political leadership, where key decisions are made,” he added.
Huda Ouma Otieno urged participants to utilize the skills gained during the workshop to positively influence their communities and the country at large. “You are already leaders. Someone is watching and following your example,” she stated.
On behalf of the participants, Gilda Sharon described the workshop as a safe and empowering platform that boosted her confidence in leadership, peace building, and political participation.
The participants and organizers expressed gratitude to UN Women, the Ministry of Peace building, development partners, and participating organizations for supporting the empowerment and leadership development of young women in South Sudan.
