For women who have endured conflict, violence, and other human rights violations, the pursuit of justice extends far beyond the end of violence itself. Justice means access to legal support, psychosocial care, economic opportunities, protection, and recognition of their experiences. Above all, it means having a meaningful voice in shaping the processes designed to address the harm they have suffered.

Against this backdrop, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Building Resilience and Inclusive Development for Governance and Equality (BRIDGE) Project, brought together women survivors, members of Victim Support Groups, and women-led civil society organizations in Juba from 22nd to 24th July 2026.

The three-day engagement provided a platform for participants to deepen their understanding of transitional justice and South Sudan's evolving transitional justice framework, while strengthening their skills to engage more effectively in peacebuilding, advocacy, and justice processes.

Through interactive discussions and practical learning sessions, participants explored key transitional justice mechanisms, including truth-seeking, accountability, reconciliation, and reparations. Emphasis was placed on ensuring that women and survivors are not merely recipients of support but active agents of change, empowered to influence how justice is delivered and how victims' needs are addressed.

A central theme of the discussions was access to justice. Participants enhanced their knowledge of legal aid services, case documentation, litigation processes, and advocacy strategies while examining the barriers that often prevent women and vulnerable groups from seeking justice. The sessions also underscored the importance of survivor-centred approaches in responding to conflict-related sexual violence and other human rights violations, ensuring that survivors are treated with dignity, confidentiality, respect, and sensitivity.