File Photo: Tumaini peace delegates from the government, SSOMA, stakeholders, diplomats, and the international community pose for a group photo during the resumption of the second phase of the Tumaini peace process on December 4, 2024. Credit: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio

Women’s delegates to the Tumaini Peace Initiative representing South Sudanese women across all sectors are calling for greater leadership, empowerment, and meaningful inclusion in the country’s peace process and future governance.

In a public statement issued on December 31, the delegates expressed both gratitude and concern over the current status of women’s participation in the peace talks.

The Women’s Delegates to the Tumaini Peace Initiative, who signed the statement, include Ms. Sarah Nyanath Elijah Yong, Brigit Nagomoro, Prof. Pauline Riak, Dr. Ayak Chol Deng Alak, and Hon. Rita Lopidia.

While acknowledging the inclusion of a 35% women’s quota in the peace process, the delegates stressed that this commitment remains largely theoretical and has yet to be fully realized in practice.

According to the statement, the quota, while a vital step forward, does not adequately address the deep-rooted generational marginalization of women in South Sudan.

The women emphasized that the true measure of success will be when women are not only represented but are also empowered to make decisions, influence outcomes, and drive solutions for the country’s future.

“We recognize and commend the critical role played by mediators, stakeholders, and all parties in the peace process. Their efforts in including the 35% women’s quota are a much-needed acknowledgement of women’s rightful place in shaping our nation’s future,” the statement read.

“However, this quota must go beyond symbolic gestures and be a transformative tool for addressing systemic inequities. Without real power, representation is meaningless.”

The delegates called for specific actions to ensure that women are not merely symbolic participants, but full stakeholders in the peace and recovery processes.

Their key demands include a framework for ownership and leadership, women as negotiators, and concrete actions for accountability.

They stated that women must be empowered to manage their representation and take leadership roles. This includes contributing to decision-making processes and overseeing the implementation of policies and programs.

The group stated that women must be granted direct and independent representation at all levels of the peace process. They are to be viewed as equal negotiators, not sidelined as passive observers.

The statement called on political actors to commit to actionable steps, such as establishing accountability mechanisms, allocating resources for women’s programs, and monitoring progress to ensure the 35% quota achieves its intended purpose.

In addition, the delegates urged all stakeholders to take immediate action.

They urged the mediators and political leaders to translate their commitments into tangible outcomes by institutionalizing mechanisms to ensure women’s active participation and leadership.

In the statement, the group called on peace stakeholders to recognize women as full negotiators, with the authority to advocate for and design solutions that address women’s priorities.

They urged civil society and international partners to strengthen their support for women’s leadership, advocacy, and institutional capacity to ensure meaningful and lasting participation.

They further encouraged women across South Sudan to unite as a collective force to demand meaningful inclusion and leadership at all levels.

The statement concluded with a call to action ahead of the next round of talks scheduled for 6th January 2025.

The women delegates urged all stakeholders to reflect deeply on the importance of women’s empowerment and to commit to an inclusive peace process where every voice matters, every decision is made with equal representation, and women are empowered to lead.

“As we prepare for the next phase of talks, we call on all involved to make this moment a turning point in South Sudan’s peace process — an era when women’s voices are amplified, their leadership recognized, and their rights upheld,” the statement concluded.

The future of South Sudan, the delegates emphasized, depends on building a nation where equality, justice, and sustainable peace form the foundation of a shared future for all its citizens, particularly women.