Over 50 media practitioners and stakeholders gathered for a quarterly localization roundtable held under the theme “Stronger Media Partnerships for Locally Led Humanitarian Action in South Sudan” at Crown Hotel in Juba on Monday.
The event was organized by Oxfam in partnership with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and in collaboration with the Humanitarian System Transformation Through Local Humanitarian Leadership program.
Namisio Joy Bage, Executive Director of YWCA South Sudan, stated that localization goes beyond merely shifting resources. She emphasized that it involves ensuring local actors, communities, and meaningful voices are central to decision-making, leadership, implementation, and accountability.
“As a women-led organization, YWCA South Sudan strongly believes that women, girls, and communities must be at the center of all processes—not simply as beneficiaries, but as leaders, partners, and problem solvers equipped with valuable knowledge and solutions,” she said. “The media plays an essential role in shaping this narrative. We encourage responsible storytelling that avoids portraying communities merely through the lens of vulnerability, and instead recognizes the resilient leadership, contributions, and solutions of the people of South Sudan.”
She urged participants to engage in open, honest, and practical discussions to identify concrete ways the media can strengthen the localization agenda in the country.
Meanwhile, Ngbadurezare Michael Franco, Project Officer at YWCA, expressed gratitude to the participants for attending, emphasizing that their involvement made the initiative possible.
“This gathering is all about working together, especially with the media team, to explore how the media can actively advance localization. What does localization truly mean? If localization is to succeed in our country, what can we achieve together as a united team?” he asked, adding: “I know the media has a great role to play and a massive responsibility, because media reaches every corner of our society. That is why we convened this gathering.”
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