On 2nd July 2025, the conference room of Landmark Hotel in Juba transformed into a space of purpose, dialogue, and determination. Fifty stakeholders—35 women and 15 men—gathered for a powerful and timely inception workshop, marking the official launch of one of the most inclusive and forward-thinking leadership initiatives in South Sudan.
Titled:
“Inclusive Pathways to Power: Advancing Women’s Leadership and Decision-Making for All, Including Women with Disabilities,”
the project is being implemented by RACBO South Sudan in Juba County, Central Equatoria State, with funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF) through UNDP.
Running from June to December 2025, this six-month initiative is not just a project—it’s a movement. A bold, structured step toward changing how we think about leadership, governance, and inclusion in one of the world’s youngest and most resilient nations.
A Room That Reflected Real South Sudan
On that day in July, the 50 participants represented a cross-section of South Sudanese society. From local government representatives, civil society actors, and women’s rights advocates to disability rights champions, youth leaders, and international development partners—the room reflected the diversity, strength, and lived experiences of the communities this project aims to empower.
But what stood out wasn’t just the turnout. It was the tone. It was hopeful, sincere, and forward-looking.
This was more than a formal meeting—it was a space for vision. For questions. For hard truths. For co-creation.
The Context: Why This Project, and Why Now?
Let’s face it—South Sudan is not an easy place for women in politics. Gender inequality, historical conflict, and deep-rooted patriarchy have long sidelined women from leadership and decision-making roles.
And for women living with disabilities, the exclusion runs even deeper. Their voices have been silenced not just by cultural norms, but by lack of access, infrastructure, and systemic neglect.
Yet, in every corner of this country, women are already leading—informally, powerfully, and persistently. From organizing peace dialogues and managing food security to holding families and communities together during crises, their leadership is often unseen but deeply impactful.
This project exists to bridge that gap. To make informal leadership formal and recognized. To ensure that all women—including those with disabilities—are not just participants in community life, but decision-makers at all levels.
About the Project
“Inclusive Pathways to Power” is a six-month initiative that seeks to:
- Strengthen the capacity of women—particularly those with disabilities—to engage in political and civic leadership.
- Break down cultural and institutional barriers that hinder women’s participation.
- Build public awareness around inclusive governance.
- Encourage local and national institutions to adopt inclusive policies and practices.
Funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF) and supported by UNDP, this project is part of a larger effort to build sustainable peace through inclusive governance. Its implementation by RACBO South Sudan, a grassroots-driven organization, ensures that the work is rooted in community realities, not just theories.
A Day of Powerful Reflections
The inception workshop on 2nd July was more than a formality. It was a declaration:
This project belongs to the people it serves.
From the opening remarks to the final wrap-up, the message was clear—real change happens when those most affected are placed at the center of the process.
One of the most moving moments came when a woman using a wheelchair bravely shared how she was once denied access to a local leadership forum—“There was no ramp, and they said I wouldn’t understand the politics.” That moment sparked collective reflection. And resolve.
Several male participants—15 in total—showed up not just to listen, but to support. One local official stood up and said, “We’ve excluded women and people with disabilities for too long. This project gives us a chance to correct that mistake.”
The room was silent. Then applause broke out—not just polite clapping, but a heartfelt response. This is what allyship looks like.
The Plan Ahead (June–December 2025)
This isn’t a theoretical project. It comes with a real plan and real activities that will run through the end of the year. Here’s what to expect:
- Capacity-Building Workshops:
Hands-on training for women and women with disabilities in public speaking, leadership, legal literacy, advocacy, and political participation. - Community Dialogues:
Town hall-style events to open public conversations about gender, inclusion, leadership, and local governance. - Policy Engagement:
RACBO will engage policymakers and institutions to promote disability-friendly and gender-sensitive laws, especially concerning political access. - Mentorship Programs:
Pairing young women with experienced leaders—women who’ve walked the road, made the mistakes, and emerged stronger. - Media and Awareness Campaigns:
Radio shows, social media content, printed materials, and even local theater will be used to change how communities think about who can lead. - Monitoring and Feedback:
Community-based feedback loops and evaluation tools to ensure the project remains responsive, transparent, and impactful.
This structured and time-bound approach ensures that by December 2025, South Sudan will not only have more empowered women leaders, but also stronger systems that recognize and support their roles.
A Word to Our Donors and Partners
To the UN Peacebuilding Fund and UNDP—your support is not just financial. It’s transformational.
By investing in this project, you’re investing in:
- A more peaceful South Sudan.
- A more inclusive and responsive government.
- A generation of women who don’t have to ask for power—they can claim it with dignity.
To current partners: thank you for walking with us. Your encouragement, guidance, and technical support are the wind beneath this project’s wings.
To potential partners and donors: we invite you to join us.
Your support—whether it’s financial, strategic, or political—can expand this project’s reach and deepen its impact.
Imagine what more we could do with additional resources: expand the project to other counties, scale up mentorship programs, provide scholarships to young leaders, or create a disability-friendly leadership center in Juba.
Success in Sight
By December 2025, here’s what we envision:
- Dozens of women and women with disabilities trained, mentored, and actively participating in governance.
- Local communities more open to inclusive leadership models.
- Policymakers held accountable for accessibility and gender balance.
- A clear, replicable model for inclusive political empowerment in South Sudan.
But more than anything, success looks like this:
A young girl in Juba watching a woman with a disability speak on national TV—and believing she can lead too.
Remaining Challenges—And Our Commitment
We don’t pretend this road is easy.
Cultural resistance remains strong. Infrastructure is often inaccessible. Resources are limited. And leadership pathways are still dominated by powerful, often male, networks.
But this is not a reason to stop. It’s the reason we must press on.
RACBO is committed to not only planting seeds but nurturing them. With every workshop, every dialogue, every advocacy letter—we are watering the dream of an inclusive, peaceful, and empowered South Sudan.
Final Words: The Door Is Open
The 2nd of July 2025 may not have made international news. But to the 50 people in that room, it was a moment to remember—a turning point in how we approach leadership in South Sudan.
This six-month journey from June to December isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning.
At RACBO, we’re not just creating pathways. We’re opening doors to power—and holding them open for every woman ready to walk through.
To our partners, supporters, and friends:
Come walk this journey with us.
The future is inclusive. The future is female. And the future—starts now.
About RACBO South Sudan
RACBO (Recovery and Access to Commonly Best Optimism) is a nonprofit rooted in the communities of South Sudan, working at the intersection of women’s rights, disability inclusion, peacebuilding, and local development. We believe real change happens when local people lead.
📍 Location: Juba County, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan
🌐 Website: www.racbo.org
For inquiries, partnerships, or donations, please reach out via our website or contact our program team.
Let’s build a South Sudan where everyone leads, belongs, and thrives.
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