SIHA forum strengthens youth participation in peacebuilding and governance

SIHA Network Juba has launched a two-day forum aimed at strengthening the participation of young women and youth in peacebuilding, governance and political processes in South Sudan.

The forum brings together 35 young women leaders and 25 youth representatives from Western Equatoria, Western Bahr el Ghazal and Central Equatoria states.

The discussions focus on elections and meaningful youth participation, laws and policies, peace processes and the development of the revised Youth Action Plan.

Opening the forum, James Francis Kutiyote, Undersecretary in the National Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, urged young people to take an active role in shaping the country’s future.

“You have the responsibility as young people to make decisions and bring about change in this country,” Kutiyote said.

He encouraged young people to create opportunities for themselves rather than wait for designated youth positions.

“You should strive to create your own space and opportunities,” he said, noting that the minimum age to contest for parliament is 21.

Pia Philip Michael, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Peacebuilding, encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained through the programme in their communities.

“Start this training in your community, in your family. Mentorship doesn’t mean you should first have an office, but start with your family mentoring there,” Michael said.

She urged the participants to continue sharing their skills and supporting others through mentorship.

Jackline Bage Pezi, Country Coordinator of SIHA Network Juba, said the project has spent the past two years supporting young women leaders through capacity-building activities.

“The PBF project targeted 35 women leaders across different states who have been supported and mentored through different capacity-building trainings, public speaking, advocacy, mentorship, and engagement and influence,” Pezi said.

She said the project, which ends this month, has produced visible results among the participants.

“I’m proud to stand here with joy that the commitment we made at the beginning of the project has yielded results,” she said.

Hulda Atieno Ouma, Deputy Representative of UN Women in Juba, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advancing women’s rights and gender equality.

“Our mandate is about advancing women in every sphere of life. We are unapologetic about it because we know and appreciate and are passionate about women being equally recognized and given equal rights,” Ouma said.

She encouraged participants to take an active role in shaping South Sudan’s future.

“You have the potential to make this a great nation,” she said.

The Inclusive Governance for Peace project is a two-year initiative implemented by SIHA Network in partnership with the Ministry of Peacebuilding, with funding and support from the Peacebuilding Fund.