This report presents and discusses the findings from the final external evaluation of the “Strengthening Young Women’s Participation in Local and National Peace Processes in South Sudan” project (January 2020-September 2021), which was founded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPF) and implemented by Search for Common Ground (Search) South Sudan, in partnership with Ana-Taban, Crown the Woman (CTW), National Women’s Empowerment & Rehabilitation Organization (NWERO), Catholic Radio Network (CRN), and Eye Radio. The project aimed to equip and empower young South Sudanese women with knowledge, skills and opportunities to contribute to the peace process at the local and national level, reinforce their collective power, and challenge the social stereotypes and barriers that hinder their equal participation.
The evaluation found that the project fully responded to young women’s needs and priorities in terms of their role in peace and security matters in the country, and successfully engaged young women from different contexts and areas, also from remote ones and among IDPs. The project was effective in strengthening the ability of young women leaders and groups to collaboratively lead local and national-level peace efforts and young women-led mediation and peace-building initiatives, and helped them gain increased self-confidence, knowledge and skills. Young women-led mediation and peacebuilding initiatives had a significant impact because brave young women were able to implement initiatives rapidly in different locations, also involving men in their communities. Significant examples of collaboration between young and older women were also observed, in Bor and Aweil. Yet, the collaboration between young and older women will continue to require more nuanced and specific attention in the future. Similarly, changing perceptions has emerged from this evaluation as a slow process that deserves specific programming and close attention to cultural dynamics and constraints.
