A new regional initiative aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment, land rights and participation in peacebuilding was launched on Tuesday in Torit, the capital of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State.
The Building Women’s Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace (BWERSP) project is being implemented under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), with support from the African Development Bank and the governments of South Sudan and Eastern Equatoria.
The project focuses on improving women’s access to economic opportunities and productive resources, particularly land, while increasing their participation in peace and security processes.
Speaking at the launch, Eastern Equatoria Deputy Governor Karlo Andrew Akwo said economic security is essential for sustainable peace.
“There is no true peace without economic security, as well as no strong economy without women,” he said.
He welcomed the decision to implement the project in Eastern Equatoria, describing it as an important opportunity to strengthen women’s role in the state’s economic and peacebuilding efforts.
Akwo also acknowledged the contribution of women to businesses and community activities despite the barriers they continue to face. He officially declared the project launched on behalf of Governor Louis Lobong Lojore and the people of Eastern Equatoria State.
For her part, Victoria Anib, IGAD’s Head of Mission in South Sudan, said the launch represents an important milestone in efforts to promote women’s empowerment, social cohesion and sustainable peace across the region.
She said women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of development projects but as peacebuilders, entrepreneurs, community leaders and drivers of economic transformation.
“Sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the meaningful participation of women,” Anib said.
She added that improving women’s access to productive resources, including land, and ensuring their participation in decision-making would contribute to more resilient and prosperous communities.
According to IGAD, the initiative will particularly address structural barriers affecting women while supporting pathways toward inclusive economic development and peacebuilding.
Representing the National Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Undersecretary Adeng Andrew Malual Leek said the project directly responds to the ministry’s mandate of promoting gender equality, social inclusion and the rights of women and vulnerable groups.
Adeng linked the project to the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, including UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
He said the agenda is built around four pillars, namely participation, protection, prevention, and recovery, all of which are reflected in the new initiative.
“This project is our ministry’s contribution to ensuring that their courage is matched by opportunity, and that their voices are matched by influence in the decisions that shape their lives,” he said.
Meanwhile, representing the commissioner of Magwi County, Executive Director Julius Celestino Modi, welcomed the project and said women in the county have significant potential to contribute to economic development.
He said Magwi is considered one of the state’s productive areas and has already seen some interventions aimed at strengthening women’s participation in businesses, decision-making and community activities.
“With this project, they want to promote women so that we become equal,” Modi said.
He also expressed hope that women and communities in Magwi would benefit from future training and activities under the initiative.
The launch brought together government officials, IGAD representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, local leaders and women representatives from Eastern Equatoria.
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