LocationsAre Shaping the Future of Inclusive Democracy
Beyond Representation: South Sudan's Women Parliamentarians
July 20, 2026
Members of the Women Parliamentary Caucus posing for a photo during the workshop
UNDP/Amos
As South Sudan prepares for a defining moment in its democratic transition, another transformation is unfolding – not in campaign rallies or political negotiations, but inside the Parliament.
South Sudan's Women Parliamentary Caucus represents a unique platform where women legislators work across political affiliations to advance gender equality and promote greater participation of women in governance. It is a movement led by women leaders demonstrating that political leadership can transcend party lines.
For three days in Juba, more than forty women parliamentarians, members of women parliamentary Caucus, joined by male allies, members of the Council of States, newly appointed Members of Parliament and legislators from the Central Equatoria State Assembly, came together with one shared objective: to strengthen women’s leadership ahead of the country’s first elections while building a common vision for a more peaceful and inclusive democracy.
Supported by UNDP through funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), the workshop focused on strengthening advocacy, leadership, negotiation, and electoral preparedness at a pivotal moment in South Sudan’s transition.
The event became even more significant.
As the workshop evolved from a capacity-building exercise into a platform for building consensus, strengthening solidarity, and reaffirming a collective vision for a more inclusive democracy.
Participants at the workshop
UNDP/Amos Agiro
From Building Capacity to Building Momentum
Women’s political participation is often measured by numbers. This workshop demonstrated that meaningful participation is equally about influence.
Throughout the programme, participants strengthened practical skills in advocacy, negotiation, constituency engagement, campaign planning, public communication, and conflict-sensitive political participation. At a time when elections can both strengthen democracy and heighten tensions, these tensions, these capacities are increasingly important for ensuring that women leaders can effectively contribute to peaceful political processes while advocating for inclusive policies that reflect the needs of all South Sudanese.
Equally important, the forum reinforced the value of collaboration.
By bringing together national and state legislators alongside male champions of gender equality, the workshop created an opportunity to build stronger alliances capable of advancing reforms that extend well beyond the country’s transition.
A shift from Dialogue to Action
The strongest outcome emerged after the training had ended.
Participants collectively adopted a resolution calling for the fast-tracking of six stalled gender-sensitive bills that have remained pending despite their importance for advancing women's rights and political participation.
Among the priorities are legislative reforms to strengthen the implementation of South Sudan’s commitment to at least 35 percent women's representation, improve protections against gender-based violence, and create legal safeguards and a more enabling environment for women seeking elected office. As South Sudan prepares for elections, these legislative reforms have the potential to expand civic space for women candidates while providing the legal protections and political momentum needed for more inclusive participation.
Participants also committed to establishing advocacy task forces to engage political leaders, mobilize parliamentary support, and promote greater financial and institutional support for women's political leadership.
These commitments represent more than policy aspirations.
They mark the beginning of a coordinated advocacy effort led by women parliamentarians themselves – an important step towards translating political commitments into legislative action.
During the workshop
UNDP/Amos Agiro
Investing in Peace Through Women's Political Participation
UNDP, with support of the UN Peacebuilding Fund, recognize that strengthening women’s political participation is not only a governance objective – it is also a peacebuilding investment.
Research consistently demonstrates that peace agreements and democratic institutions are more durable when women participate meaningfully in political decision-making. Inclusive governance helps broaden perspectives, improve accountability, and build public trust in institutions.
This workshop builds on years of UNDP’s support to women’s leadership in South Sudan, including leadership development, civic and voter education, and providing dialogue platforms.
By enhancing the capacity of women parliamentarians and strengthening the Women's Parliamentary Caucus, the programme contributes to building democratic institutions capable of representing the diversity of South Sudan communities while reducing the risks of exclusion and political polarization during the electoral period.
Participants at the workshop
UNDP/Amos Agiro
A Shared Commitment to Inclusive Democracy
As South Sudan moves closer to its next electoral cycle, the importance of women's leadership has never been greater.
The resolutions adopted during the workshop demonstrate that meaningful participation requires more than ambition. It requires enabling laws, supportive institutions, strategic alliances, and sustained investment in leadership.
The Women Parliamentary Caucus has demonstrated that collaboration across political affiliations is possible when united around a common vision of inclusive governance.
UNDP remains committed to working alongside Parliament, government institutions, civil society and women leaders to ensure that South Sudan's democratic transition is not only peaceful, but genuinely inclusive and create opportunities for all citizens to contribute to building a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous future.
Because when women lead, democracy grows stronger—and with it, the foundations for lasting peace.
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