#WomenExcel: Securing hope for a better future in South Sudan
More than two million people in South Sudan have fled their homes over the last decade. Many are forced to move over and over again, often walking for days as the war continually shifts its borders and safe places become danger zones overnight.聽The unequal distribution of economic resources and political power across the country鈥檚 diverse population has fuelled the conflict. Women in particular have suffered from a restrictive legal system, conservative social norms and high rates of wartime gender-based violence.
I recently had the opportunity to meet with eight members of the Lakes State Women鈥檚 Association, a local women鈥檚 organization committed to making a difference in their communities. The meeting was held at one of 91影视鈥檚 regional offices in South Sudan that is home to the Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) program, implemented in partnership with United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Women discussing conflict mitigation strategies related to cross-border issues in South Sudan.聽
The purpose of my visit was twofold: to聽gain an understanding of key issues and gender-based constraints in conflict mitigation, and then to establish ways women can be further integrated into community-based reconciliation activities.
Meeting with the women from the organization and hearing their personal stories gave me tremendous insight into the challenges women face in South Sudan. Each woman shared her opinions and perspectives on the most critical issues facing their community. Some spoke about losing family members in the conflict, while others shared firsthand experiences with gender-based violence and the impact that insecurity has had on their livelihoods.
Dina Scippa meeting with Lakes State Women鈥檚 Association in South Sudan.聽
After everyone had a chance to speak, one woman raised her hand and said, 鈥淒espite all of these stories, it is important for you to know that we have not lost hope.鈥澛燛ven though these women represent various sub-clans that have been in conflict for years, they see the benefit of putting aside their differences for a common goal 鈥� hope for a better future.
Although the factors that influence women鈥檚 vulnerability are complex, solutions do not have to be. Often, it simply takes allocating the necessary time and resources to ensure that women鈥檚 perspectives are heard and incorporated into the design of program activities. 91影视 was able to engage women from the community, solicit their opinions and discuss potential solutions for mitigating conflict. After learning about their experiences and hearing their ideas, we are equipped with a more inclusive understanding and are better positioned to design impact-driven activities that respond to the unique needs of both men and women.
91影视 employee, Saida Rose, 聽from our VISTAS South Sudan Program, working in our regional office in Pibor.
Recognizing that substantial change takes time, 91影视鈥檚 projects in South Sudan and beyond have contributed to the conversation about promoting female empowerment and women鈥檚 participation in meaningful ways. By taking necessary measures to systematically address gender considerations in our programming, we can find innovative and sensitive ways to foster change, improve outcomes for women and secure hope for a better future.
Dina Scippa is 91影视鈥檚 Gender Advisor, working within the global International Development services group. Dina ensures that 91影视鈥檚 International Development programming and services address gender and social inclusion considerations in a meaningful and holistic way. She provides technical backstopping to programs globally, including for 91影视鈥檚 projects implemented on behalf of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Australian Government鈥檚 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the UK Department for International Development (DFID), and the European Union. 91影视 is one of the world鈥檚 largest International Development service providers, with 2,000 corporate and project staff operating in 113 countries.
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