From Isolation to Influence: How Mentorship is Empowering Women in South Sudan's Security Sector

^{Women officers and members of the Women in the Security Sector Network during Women in Uniform Day celebrations in Aweil, South Sudan. 5 August 2026. Photo: UN Women/Sarah Chaat.}

For years, Warrant Officer Amel Kuach Ariak served in South Sudan's Wildlife Service with dedication and commitment. Yet like many women in uniform, she often felt isolated in a sector where leadership opportunities for women were limited, and their voices were rarely included in decision-making.

Despite her years of service, opportunities to connect with experienced women leaders, learn from peers, and build professional networks were scarce. Many women officers faced similar challenges, often navigating workplace barriers, gender stereotypes, and limited support systems on their own.

That began to change through the “Women in South Sudan's Security Sector: A Path to Inclusive and Transformative Leadership Project”, supported by UN Women, the United Nations Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), the Ministry of Peacebuilding, and implemented by Hope Africa South Sudan. The initiative aims to strengthen women's leadership, participation, and influence across South Sudan's security institutions.

As part of the project, UN Women and partners established mentorship programmes for women security personnel, bringing together women officers from different security institutions with experienced women leaders and mentors. The programme provided a platform for participants to learn leadership skills, share experiences, build confidence, and support one another's professional growth.

^{Amel Kuach (left) and her colleagues from the Wildlife Security Sector pose for a photo following an interview during the Women in Uniform Day celebration. Amel shared how project-supported interventions helped her learn to read and write her name, boosting her confidence and enabling her to participate more effectively in her workplace. Aweil, 6 August 2026. Photo: UN Women/Sarah Chaat.}

For Amel, participating in the mentorship programme opened new possibilities.

Through interactions with senior women leaders and fellow officers, she gained practical knowledge about leadership, communication, and advocacy. More importantly, she discovered the value of solidarity among women serving in different security institutions.

"The mentorship programme showed us that we are not alone. We learned from women leaders who have overcome challenges similar to ours. Today, I feel more confident speaking up, sharing my ideas, and encouraging other women to believe in their abilities."

The programme also contributed to the formation and strengthening of the Women in the Security Sector Network, which has become an important platform for peer support and collective action in Aweil. Through the network, women officers are building relationships across institutions, mentoring one another, and engaging decision-makers on issues affecting women in uniform.

The impact has been life-changing for Amel.

Today, she can confidently write her name, read basic texts, and better understand written information. These skills have strengthened her confidence both at work and in her daily life.

More importantly, the mentorship has changed how she sees herself and her future.

Reflecting on the changes brought about by the initiative, Amel remarked: "The network has brought us together, and the literacy classes have opened our minds. We now believe we can do more for ourselves, our families, and our institutions." Her words underscore how the programme has strengthened women's confidence, collective action, and participation in community and institutional leadership.

^{Women police officers and members of the Women in the Security Sector Network during Women in Uniform Day celebrations in Aweil, South Sudan. 5 August 2026. Photo: UN Women/Sarah Chaat.}

As a result, according to Amel: “Women who once hesitated to express their views are increasingly taking on leadership roles, participating in discussions on peace and security, and advocating for greater representation within their institutions”.

The impact extends beyond individual women. By strengthening the leadership capacity of women officers, the mentorship programme is contributing to more inclusive and responsive security institutions that are better equipped to address the needs of women and girls.

Some Network members have already assumed leadership responsibilities within the newly established Women's Security Sector Network in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, helping guide and mentor other women in uniform.
 

Looking Ahead

^{Women officers and members of the Women in the Security Sector Network during marching Women in Uniform Day celebrations in Aweil, South Sudan. 5 August 2026. Photo: UN Women/Sarah Chaat.}

For Amel, the mentorship journey has transformed the way she sees her role in the security sector, “Leadership is not about rank alone. It is about supporting others, sharing knowledge, and creating opportunities for women who come after us. Through this mentorship programme, I have gained the confidence to contribute and lead."

Through UN Women's support, women in uniform in Aweil are building the skills, networks, and confidence needed to contribute meaningfully to leadership, peacebuilding, and security processes. Their stories demonstrate that when women are connected, mentored, and empowered, they become powerful agents of change within their institutions and communities.