Voices of Change: Women and Disabilities at the Heart of South Sudan’s Political Transformation

Posted :

Oct 1, 2025

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From July 23rd to 25th, 2025, the Nyakuron Cultural Centre in Juba became a powerful stage for women’s voices, resilience, and leadership. The Recovery and Access to Commonly Best Optimism – South Sudan (RACBO-SS) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Peace and Community Cohesion Project (PACC), and with support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF), convened the Women’s Dialogue with Political Leadership.

Photo of Sign Language interpreters during the Conference for Women’s Dialogue with Political Leadership held for 3 days at Nyakuron Cultural Center from 23^rd to 25^th July, 2025.

Under the theme “Strengthen Women’s Participation in Political Leadership and Decision Making to Address the Needs of Women with Disabilities and Contribute to Sustainable Peace and Governance in Juba County”, the gathering brought together 150 participants from across Central Equatoria. These included women leaders, members of the State Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly (SRTLA), representatives of political parties, local government officials, and 50 participants from the Network of Persons with Disabilities.

Group Photo captured during the Conference for Women’s Dialogue with Political Leadership held for 3 days at Nyakuron Cultural Center from 23^rd to 25^th July, 2025.

The conference reflected RACBO’s vision of inclusive development, its mission to build self-reliant communities, and its core values of gender equity, accountability, and solidarity.

Inclusion in Action

The presence of women with disabilities was particularly significant. Interpreters ensured full participation for the hearing impaired, while visually impaired leaders contributed actively to debates. As Mr. Ben Lou, a teacher who is visually impaired, noted, “This is the first time I’ve seen our issues discussed directly with political leaders. It gives us hope that our concerns will finally be heard in the Assembly.”

For too long, persons with disabilities have been marginalized in political discourse. The Dialogue marked a turning point—demonstrating that disability does not mean inability, and that inclusive platforms can unlock knowledge, dignity, and opportunity.

Beyond Dialogue: Resolutions for Change

The three-day conference was not only a forum for discussions but also a springboard for concrete action. Participants outlined priorities that aligned with RACBO’s commitment to peacebuilding, justice, and equality (SDG 16 and SDG 17):

Formation of a Resolutions and Bills Drafting Committee with legislators, councilors, and representatives of persons with disabilities to table gender- and inclusion-focused laws.
Increased women’s political inclusion and leadership during South Sudan’s transitional period.
Advocacy for legislators to enact policies that empower women in governance, peacebuilding, and socio-economic participation.
Calls for legal and policy reforms that institutionalize women’s participation across government structures.

These outcomes resonate with RACBO’s strategic goals of advancing child and women’s rights (SDG 4 & 5), promoting inclusion for marginalized groups (SDG 10), and building resilient communities through participatory governance.

Photo of Sign Language interpreters and other participants during the Conference for Women’s Dialogue with Political Leadership held for 3 days at Nyakuron Cultural Center from 23^rd to 25^th July, 2025.

Voices of Determination

One visually impaired woman highlighted the repeated use of numbers 5 and 10 in the draft resolutions, urging they be merged—her sharp observation left over 100 sighted participants in awe. This moment symbolized the power of diverse perspectives and the importance of creating space for every voice.

Hon. Elizabeth, Speaker of the Central Equatoria State Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly, captured the spirit of the event when she urged: “Women and Women with Disabilities must unite their ranks collectively to fight and support each other—not only to achieve full political representation in leadership and decision-making, but also to gain a larger share in both public and private sectors to achieve economic stability.”

Photo of the Participants during the Conference for Women’s Dialogue with Political Leadership held for 3 days at Nyakuron Cultural Center from 23^rd to 25^th July, 2025.

Toward an Inclusive Future

The Women’s Dialogue was more than an event—it was a movement of courage, confidence, and change. By bringing together women, men, and persons with disabilities, it embodied RACBO’s belief in partnerships, empowerment, and community-driven solutions.

Photo of Sign Language interpreters, UNDP Programme Officer & RACBO Project Manager during the Conference for Women’s Dialogue with Leadership held for 3 days at Nyakuron Cultural Center from 23^rd to 25^th July, 2025.

As South Sudan journeys through its transitional period, inclusion is not an option—it is a necessity. RACBO will continue to stand with women, communities, and marginalized groups to ensure that political leadership reflects the true resilience of the nation.

Every dialogue, every resolution, every act of courage brings South Sudan closer to a future where women rise—not as tokens, but as leaders shaping peace, governance, and prosperity for all.

Comments

6 responses to “Voices of Change: Women and Disabilities at the Heart of South Sudan’s Political Transformation”

Abel Amet Amet

Oct 14, 2025 3:56 PM

We appreciate the great effort and commitments of RACBO for supporting gender equality and women’s empowerment

Reply
1. RACBO South Sudan
  
  Oct 16, 2025 8:24 PM
  
  Thanks a lot for reading and leaving this positive comment, Abel. We truly appreciate it.
  
  John
  
  Reply
James Yel Atiik

Oct 19, 2025 11:43 AM

At RACBO, we don’t just tell our grassroots impact stories but what we do speak by themselves. A conclusion drown by RACBO dedicated Monitoring and Evaluation Team who visited project field locations in Aweil North County, Northern Bahr El Ghazal State on 3rd of July to 18th of August 2025. Our DG ECHO project in Aweil North is positively impacting lives of returnees, IDPs and host communities through providing needy population with health, nutrition, WASH, protection and DRR responses services in consortium with HealthNet TPO.

Reply
1. RACBO South Sudan
  
  Oct 19, 2025 9:52 PM
  
  That’s powerful, James. Real impact is always seen in the lives touched, not just in reports or meetings. I’ve walked through those communities before, and you can feel the difference when help comes with heart. As we say back home, when the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind. Keep the good work going.
  
  John
  
  Reply
Ashley

Oct 27, 2025 4:47 AM

This was such an inspiring read. It’s powerful to see how women with disabilities are not only being included in dialogue but are helping shape South Sudan’s political transformation itself. The scene you described—where a visually impaired participant caught an overlooked detail in the draft—beautifully captures why true inclusion strengthens decision-making. It’s not charity; it’s wisdom in action.

I think gatherings like this prove that sustainable peace can’t exist without representation that mirrors the full diversity of the nation. When women with disabilities lead, they expand what leadership looks like for everyone. Do you think the next step should be ensuring these dialogues lead to permanent advisory roles or institutional seats, so this inclusion continues beyond the conference stage?

Reply
1. RACBO South Sudan
  
  Oct 27, 2025 5:45 PM
  
  Beautifully said, Ashley. I completely agree — inclusion must move from moments to systems. Conferences light the spark, but lasting impact comes when representation becomes policy. Permanent advisory roles or reserved institutional seats would ensure that the insights of women with disabilities aren’t treated as symbolic, but as essential to governance. Their lived experiences bring wisdom that can’t be learned in theory.
  
  What models from other countries do you think South Sudan could learn from to make this kind of representation permanent?
  
  John
  
  Reply