SSWEN aims to increase women’s involvement in governance and democratic processes, including constitution development through strengthening and creating systems and structures for active participation of women in the nation-building where they are non-existent or not fully functioning. Women around the world often face daunting social, economic and political challenges and South Sudan is not an exception. Therefore, for democracy to prevail it must be truly representative, and we recognize that women must be equal partners in the process of democratic development, if not in the forefront. Women’s contribution to building a strong and vibrant society is paramount.
The independence of South Sudan came with various forms of expectations and hope for better future for all South Sudanese through democratic governance, gender equality and stronger voices and participation of all groups of people in policy-making and governing bodies of the new country. This, however, has not been realized as there is still a lack of peace and justice for vulnerable groups, especially women.
A database of women’s CSOs/NGOs was developed in the first phase of this project. The database which can be found on this link xxxx was intended to map out women CSOs across the ten states, their capacities and focus areas. This Database was used to select the members of the RGWG and consequently the NGWG. Furthermore, it is a resource to help identify, promote and capacitate (where necessary) women organization outside of the capital – Juba.
The expected outcomes were to increase technical knowledge, capacity and awareness of women CSOs in the constitution making process, women’s rights, gender mainstreaming and IHRI’s in addition to having effective advocacy and government engagement by CSOs to increase women’s representation, and the inclusion of key IHRIs in the permanent constitution.
SSWEN interventions were geared towards collectively enhancing the promotion of gender equality and gender-sensitive participation in the constitutional and democratic processes through the creation of National and Regional Gender Working Group to develop a framework that will serve as a platform for coordinating civil society and government participation in the Constitutional Review Process. Joint advocacy among the members of the working group and building solidarity among women from various parts of South Sudan was the key outcome of this project.