Participants from CSOs pose with their certificates! Photo Credit: Supplied
The second cohort of over 50 participants from women led CSOs and their male allies in South Sudan celebrated their graduation from a transformative training program organized by PAX for Peace. The training, held from October 7 to 9, 2025, enhanced their skills on Judicial Reforms, lobbying and advocacy, and on legal Laws and, and International ratified Instruments to mitigate gender-based violence (GBV) and promote gender equality. The workshop concluded with the award of certificates to participants and was fully funded by the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO).
On behalf of the Country of PAX, Mr. John William emphasized the significance of advocacy and knowledge-sharing.
“On behalf of PAX, we would like to close this ceremony, and we would like to congratulate you for having made it possible today that you have been able to pass this assignment which you have willingly undertaken to gain knowledge,” William stated. He highlighted the importance of documenting issues affecting women and girls, advocating for their rights, and creating evidence for future action.
Furthermore, he remarked on South Sudan’s potential, despite its challenges. “This country is blessed with a lot of resources… But without knowledge, people will just die like animals. Knowledge is power,” he asserted, urging participants to use their new skills to advocate for their communities.
The Project Officer of PAX overseeing the “Empowered Women Influence (EWI)” Project, Martina Kani, encouraged the graduates to apply their skills in real-world situations. “Next year will be training to the third batch of civil society members, female lawmakers, and advocates to also attend these two sessions,” she noted. Kani praised the support from the German Federal Foreign Office and highlighted the project’s unique focus on gender balance, with 40% male and 60% female engagement.
On his part, the Lead Facilitator, Counsel Amanya Joseph called on the graduates to actively advocate for their communities. “You must influence legislation and strengthen judicial reforms in the country with the skills of lobbying and advocacy,” he urged, emphasizing the importance of the skills acquired from the PAX’s Empowered Women Influence Project.
Remarkably, the participants shared their thoughts on the training received. The graduation ceremony for the Empowered Women Influence Project was filled with heartfelt reflections from participants, who expressed immense gratitude to PAX and the German Federal Foreign Office for their support.
Ndabe Jessica, a representative from LULU CARE, shared her experience: “I’m not so good with speeches, but I’m so grateful. We started back in February, and since then, we have gained so much wisdom and encouragement. Many of us came here feeling weak and unsure of how to defend our rights. But after this training, we now know our rights as citizens of South Sudan and how to apply them. We are ready to advocate for ourselves and will no longer suffer in silence.”
Lemi Thomas, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative nature of the training: “Our message goes to the facilitators to keep the spirit of enriching. I have never attended a workshop of this nature before, and it has challenged me to invest in gathering information and educating others. This program is crucial for the context of South Sudan. We urge donors to provide more funds to PAX so they can continue this important work.”
Adan Rachael, from the Women Empowerment Center South Sudan, highlighted the practical skills learned during the training: “We were taught various forms of advocacy, how to influence policies and the importance of witness protection—something that is currently lacking in South Sudan. We now understand the ethical considerations in our work and the need to prioritize the safety of survivors. This training has empowered us to be more effective advocates for our communities.”
The participants unanimously agreed that the knowledge gained will not only impact their organizations but will also contribute to the broader fight for justice and equality in South Sudan. They expressed a commitment to applying their skills and knowledge in real-world situations, ensuring that they could make a meaningful difference in their communities.
The training program marks a significant step towards empowering women and fostering gender equality in South Sudan, equipping participants with essential tools to address societal issues and advocate for change in their communities.
Finally, on behalf of PAX, John William extended his most sincere gratitude to the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for fully funding the EWI project through the German Federal Foreign Office.
