We officially launched the Women’s Empowerment, Protection and Advocacy Programming project through an inception meeting held in Juba on 23rd of April, bringing together key stakeholders including the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, civil society organizations, community leaders, young women, faith-based actors, and partner organizations.

The meeting provided a platform to present the project framework and share key findings from the recent Protection Risk Assessment conducted across target communities. The project, implemented by GVO with support from DANIDA through DanChurchAid (DCA), seeks to address persistent gender inequalities through advocacy, protection services, and community-driven engagement.

Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Nuna Rhoda Rudolf Ndefu, Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, emphasized the importance of strengthening policy implementation and promoting grassroots participation to advance gender equality. She called for inclusive approaches that engage both women and men, and highlighted the need to fast-track key legal frameworks such as the Family Bill to strengthen protection systems.

She also raised concerns about challenges affecting women’s livelihoods, particularly small-scale traders impacted by city council operations, and called for collective advocacy to address these issues.

The project will run from January to December 2026, targeting 255 direct beneficiaries and over 36,000 indirect beneficiaries in Juba. Key focus areas include legal aid, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and strengthening coordination among government, civil society, and communities.

This inception meeting marks a significant step for GVO in strengthening partnerships and advancing inclusive, community-led solutions that promote the rights and empowerment of women and girls across South Sudan.