Growing Voices Ahead of 2026 Polls
In Juba, young women gathered under the EU-funded Raising Civil Voices program to rethink their place in South Sudan’s political arena ahead of the long-awaited 2026 general elections, answering a rallying cry for substantive leadership.
Training Beyond Tokenism
Program Manager Alimure Ali Awda argued that token seats no longer suffice, urging participants to join parties, pursue specialized training and emerge as “real politicians” capable of shaping policy rather than applauding it (Friedrich Ebert Stiftung).
The initiative targets women aged 18 to 32 already engaged in parties or youth associations, pairing classroom sessions with visits to parliamentary debates for a hands-on view of governance.
Parliamentary Allies Signal Support
Deputy Chair of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Yar Deng and Senior Presidential Envoy on Special Program Adut Kiir attended the workshop, their presence seen as an endorsement of deeper female participation within transitional institutions.
Pushing Past the 35 Percent Ceiling
National Patriotic Party chair Dr Issa Muzamil challenged attendees to aim beyond the constitutional 35 percent quota, declaring, “We want women to take more than 50 percent,” and reminding them that politics does not require waiting until middle age.
He underscored women’s strength as both voters and leaders, calling their demographic majority a decisive force that could steer South Sudan’s democratic path during the approaching polls.
Funding and Future Momentum
Awda confirmed another cohort will enter training before the current grant lapses, expressing optimism that fresh backing will expand the program’s reach and keep momentum alive through election season and beyond.