Voices from Juba
A surge of hope filled the hall in Juba as Professor Dr Julia Duany addressed the closing of the Eve Organization’s two-day conference.
Her message resonated beyond the capital: only frank dialogue can stitch South Sudan’s social fabric torn by years of conflict.
Dialogue over Division
“Let our leaders talk to each other,” Duany implored, urging forgiveness as the first step toward stability.
She warned that silence fuels war, asserting that united voices could transform children’s songs, women’s laughter, and youth gatherings into symbols of peace.
Women at the Center
The academic framed peacebuilding as a daily practice, embedded in greetings, listening, and communal work traditionally led by women.
After decades of hardship, South Sudanese women, she said, are ready to anchor freedom and prosperity for all citizens.
Nationwide Challenges
Delegates acknowledged that conflict, displacement, and floods still threaten livelihoods across the young nation.
Political and regional rifts, Duany cautioned, could deepen unless citizens reject tribalism in favor of reconciliation.
Conference Takeaways
The meeting gathered ministers, lawmakers, civil society actors, and partners under the banner of restoring hope and action for women’s peace roles.
It also marked the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, underscoring global commitments to women, peace, and security.
A Call Heard Nationwide
As delegates dispersed, Duany’s plea echoed: conversation, not confrontation, will script the next chapter of South Sudan’s story.