Katrin Bilger, ResPEct Programme Implementation Manager for GIZ, hands over 1,822 dignity kits to Thomas Okollah, IsraAID Country Director, in Juba. (Photo courtesy of GIZ South Sudan)

The German Development Agency (GIZ) South Sudan, through its ResPEct programme, has launched a major distribution drive delivering more than 1,822 dignity kits to partner organizations to support menstrual health management and uphold the dignity of women and girls.

The initiative aims to provide essential self-care items that safeguard hygiene, promote comfort and privacy, and ensure menstruation does not prevent girls from attending school or participating fully in community life.

As part of the ongoing drive, 1,700 dignity kits were handed over on July 21 to key institutional and community partners. The Central Equatoria State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare received 1,100 kits for onward distribution to the Juba One Stop Centre and through its local networks.

Additional kits were allocated to partner non-governmental organizations, including IsraAID, the Women Foundation for Humanity (WFH), and the Star Trust Organization. These organizations will manage community-level distribution to beneficiaries across Gondokoro, Luri, Mangalla, and Rajaf.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the Central Equatoria State Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Hon. Elizabeth Pita Lugor, alongside Executive Director Hon. Nunu Diana Alison, emphasized that coordinated partnerships between government bodies and development organizations are essential to ensuring vulnerable women and girls receive critical support.

Katrin Bilger, Implementing Manager for the ResPEct programme, highlighted the broader objective of the initiative. “Empowerment starts with dignity,” Bilger remarked. “By providing women with the essentials they need, we help create the foundation for resilience, confidence, and opportunity.”

The distribution builds on momentum from awareness campaigns held last month aimed at breaking societal stigma, improving menstrual hygiene education, and promoting inclusion.

GIZ confirmed that distributions are ongoing, with the ResPEct programme targeting a total rollout of 5,000 dignity kits across its partner networks alongside continued community-level awareness campaigns.