Safeguarding Momentum in South Sudan
In Wau, senior staff of the Catholic Diocese have completed three days of intensive training on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. Supported by Mozerio and partner agencies, the workshop underlined the ethical duty of faith institutions to create safe, dignified spaces for every beneficiary.
Training Focus and Takeaways
Sessions covered legal frameworks, survivor-centred approaches, transparent reporting and inclusive policy drafting. Department heads from education, health, social services and pastoral work exchanged case studies and discussed how to weave accountability into daily routines, echoing international safeguarding benchmarks.
Voices from the Workshop
Participant representative Sherihan Sediq described the event as a pledge to uproot injustice inside church structures, urging colleagues to transform theory into practice. Bishop Matthew Remijio Adam called dignity and safety “non-negotiable”, insisting that no child or vulnerable adult be left unprotected.
Committee to Draft Comprehensive Policy
A new Safeguarding and Policy Development Committee will now consult widely, draft enforceable guidelines and monitor compliance. The brief covers children, people with disabilities, displaced families and other marginalised groups who interact with diocesan programmes.
Regional and Long-Term Impact
Observers note that, in conflict-affected contexts where resources are scarce, local ownership of safeguarding reforms sets an encouraging precedent. The Diocese hopes its forthcoming policy will inspire other South Sudanese dioceses and reinforce global calls for institutions to move from pledges to measurable protection.
Sustaining the Promise
Implementation and continuous oversight will determine success. Church leaders plan regular training, community engagement and transparent feedback channels to maintain momentum. The initiative signals a growing recognition that moral authority must be matched by concrete, accountable action.