Supporting Women's Peacebuilding Efforts in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal States

Yambio, South Sudan, 15 July 2026 – The Government of South Sudan, together with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UN Women South Sudan Country Office, officially launched the “Supporting Women's Peacebuilding Efforts in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal States” on 8 July 2026 aimed at empowering women and young people to become drivers of peace, social cohesion and resilience across South Sudan.

Supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), with complementary parallel financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project represents the second partnership of its kind globally between the PBF and AfDB. Together, they will strengthen local leadership, expand economic opportunities and create safe spaces for dialogue and community action in conflict-affected areas.

"Peace is the foundation of development. When we invest in our young people, we are investing in the future of our state and our nation," said H.E. Joseph Marona, Deputy Governor, Western Equatoria State. "These initiatives will empower youth to become builders of peace, strengthen their livelihoods and help transform communities through dialogue, resilience and opportunity. The Government of Western Equatoria State is committed to working closely with the United Nations and our partners to ensure these projects deliver tangible benefits for our people."

The project will directly benefit 2,100 women and girls. Through complementary financing from AfDB, the project will strengthen women’s leadership in peacebuilding, reinforce community peace structures, and expand economic empowerment opportunities.

"These initiatives reflect the Government of South Sudan's commitment to placing women and young people at the center of the peacebuilding agenda. By creating platforms for dialogue, strengthening livelihoods and equipping communities with the skills to prevent and resolve conflict, we are investing in the next generation of peacebuilders," said Hon. Pia Philip Michael, Undersecretary, National Ministry of Peacebuilding. "Young people who have opportunities, hope and a stake in their communities are far less vulnerable to violence, misinformation and hate speech. I encourage all beneficiaries to embrace this opportunity with commitment and determination. Lasting peace is a shared responsibility, and only in a peaceful society can development, prosperity and opportunity truly flourish."

"Through these initiatives, the United Nations is partnering with the Government of South Sudan, local communities and development partners to empower the women and young people in South Sudan as leaders of peace," said Ms. Delphine Serumaga, UN Women Country Representative, “My appeal today is simple: these are your projects. We encourage communities, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, women and youth, and government institutions to actively engage, share their perspectives and priorities, and contribute their own expertise, leadership and resources to support the long-term success of these initiatives. Only through this shared ownership can we ensure that, three years from now, we are not simply marking the completion of two projects but celebrating a more peaceful and resilient Western Equatoria State."

This project will contribute to South Sudan's national peacebuilding priorities, including the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS, 2018), and the second South Sudan National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (SSNAP II, 2024–2028). It will also support broader national efforts to strengthen inclusive governance, social cohesion and sustainable peace.

The initiatives reflect the continued partnership between the Government of South Sudan, the United Nations, development partners and local communities to ensure that women and young people are equipped to lead peacebuilding efforts and shape a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous future for the country.