The Empowered Women Influence (EWI) programme equips participants with the tools to advocate for women’s rights, challenge harmful norms, and push for the implementation of South Sudan’s 35% affirmative action at both sub-national and national levels. Through radio talk shows, awareness campaigns, workshops, and newspaper publications, the project aims to amplify women’s voices and reach a broad public audience.
‘This is your opportunity to share the progress in your communities and push for reforms that ensure women have a seat at decision-making tables,’ stressed Emmanuel Ira, PAX South Sudan Country Director, during one of the workshops.
‘Your advocacy can turn policy promises into reality.’
Emmanuel Ira, PAX South Sudan Country Director
From Urban Centers to Rural Communities: Expanding Advocacy Efforts
Hellen Adongwei Mayei Aru, from the Legacy for African and Children Initiative in Warrap State, described how the advocacy training has empowered her to organize peaceful protests against rape and speak publicly for women and girls.
‘Before my engagement in the EWI project, I was too shy to speak in public. Now I can speak, and I can demand my rights as well as debate what is good and what is bad,’ she said.
Amito Joyce Obwoya, of the women-led Support Women Initiative for Progress Organization in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State, explained how advocacy skills have enabled her organization to accelerate community sensitization and coordinate with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. This has helped girls remain in school and discouraged early marriages.
‘We intervened in a case where a young girl was being removed from class for marriage, and today she is still in school. These are the changes happening because we are linking cases to the right authorities,’ Obwoya noted. She also highlighted progress in promoting women’s leadership: ‘Women came together and said: this time, we want the chair of the civil society network. We lobbied, and men supported us. Today we have a woman deputy chair leading effectively.’
Martina Kani, PAX Project Officer, underlined the broader impact of such training: ‘When women are trained to advocate, they don’t just speak for themselves, they become leaders who can transform their communities.’
Media advocacy: a tool for widespread impact
While the project has made significant strides in urban areas, participants emphasized the need to extend these efforts to rural regions, where women face greater barriers to participation.
‘For instance, we are unable to reach other women in villages and payams due to road challenges and other obstacles,’ said Hellen Adongwei Mayei Aru.
During the exchange visit, workshops on radio broadcasting and media advocacy were held to engage a wider audience, ensuring that calls for gender equality and women’s political participation reach even the most remote areas. Radio broadcasts help shift public perception, hold leaders accountable, and make it easier to connect with rural communities. Participants reflected on their progress, shared field experiences, and prepared joint messages for radio advocacy campaigns broadcast on Equator Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) 89.4 FM and Baraka 101.7 FM.
Martina Kani encouraged open dialogue among participants: ‘We need to hear your stories in your own voices. These experiences shape our messages and deepen the impact of our collective advocacy against gender-based violence.’
A call for continued support
Participants urged for continued donor support to strengthen women’s advocacy groups, enabling them to directly influence legislation and ensure the full implementation of the 35% affirmative action. They stressed that sustained funding is critical to building a movement capable of challenging discriminatory practices and securing women’s representation in decision-making spaces.
