ACCORD in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mediation Support Unit (MSU) organised a three-day Strategic Thinking Workshop for South Sudanese Women to develop a joint plan to prioritize the women’s Agenda in the country. The workshop took place from 8-10 September 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The workshop was held under the theme; “South Sudanese Women’s Common Agenda in the Transitional Period” and initiated dialogue among women politicians, activists and professionals for the purposes of unity and development of a common agenda for meaningful participation in the transitional period. The workshop further contributed towards supporting the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) with technical support and confidence building measures.
Present among the participants were senior representatives from the main parties to the R-ARCSS; Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU); SPLM/A-IO; SSOA, OPPs and FDS as well as representatives from other stakeholders such as Women Bloc, Women Coalition, CSOs Forum, CSO Alliance, Faith based groups, academia, media, business communities and youth forums.
The workshop was instrumental towards increasing the capacity of women, and equipping them with the needed skills to meaningfully participate in the implementation of the agreement during the transitional period. After three days of strategic discussions and utilizing tools of analysis such as the SWOT, Situational, Risk and Actors, the women developed a Joint Action Plan for the year 2019-2020.The women agreed to periodically review the Action Plan and also establish a Joint Women’s Forum. The Forum will include women from all sectors namely civil society, NGO’s, government, academia, and politicians. The women created a liaison team that was tasked with the preparations for the South Sudanese Women’s Forum. There was a consensus on the issues that needed to be addressed by the women before the 12th of November which is the set date of the R-TGoNU.
ACCORD will continue to collaborate closely with IGAD MSU as they commit to sustainable peace in the IGAD region.
