IGAD HOLDING A STRATEGIC THINKING WORKSHOP WITH SOUTH SUDANESE WOMEN FOR A COMMON AGENDA FOR THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD

8-10-2019: Nairobi, Kenya: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Mediation Support Unit (MSU) in partnership with the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) kick started a three-day Strategic Thinking Workshop in Kenya’s capital Nairobi this morning with women from South Sudan with an expected outcome of a joint plan to prioritize the women’s Agenda.

The workshop is being held under the theme, “South Sudanese Women’s Common Agenda in the Transitional Period” with an aim to initiate dialogue among the women politicians, activists and professionals for the purposes of unity and development of a common agenda for meaningful participation in the transitional Period.

The opening was officiated by Dr. Aleu Garang, the MSU Director, who remarked that “technical and confidence building measures are in place to support the implementation of the R-ARCSS.

Dr. Garang reiterated the need to promote, increase the capacity of women, and equip them with the needed skills, to meaningfully participate in the implementation of the agreement during the transitional period.

Present among the participants were senior representatives from the main parties signatory to  the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), 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 forum.

In addition, other women’s networks not signatory were invited to enhance cooperation and networking among the South Sudanese women leaders (NEPASS, SSWNFP, Monthly Forum, and Women Union).

The workshop is being organized with financial support of the European Union under the IPPSHAR Programme implemented by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and facilitated by ACCORD and Office of the IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan.