Women are the bedrock of South Sudan’s agricultural sector. They cultivate the land, feed families, and sustain communities. Yet, their invaluable contributions remain largely undervalued and severely under-supported.

It is past time for the government to step up. We must empower women farmers, strengthen their cooperatives, and protect them from gender-based violence through economic and agricultural resilience.

Women-led cooperatives are vital engines of rural development. They foster solidarity, improve market access, and amplify women’s voices.

The government must invest strategically in these cooperatives by offering:

Small-scale and demonstration farmers, the majority of whom are women, require urgent, targeted capacity building.

Training in climate-smart agriculture, consistent access to quality inputs, and robust extension services must be scaled up immediately. Demonstration farms should transform into hubs of innovation and inclusion, where women can learn, lead, and inspire the next generation of farmers.

Protection is equally critical. Gender-based violence in agricultural settings—whether in markets, fields, or tied to land disputes gravely undermines women’s safety, productivity, and economic independence.

Strengthening women economically is a powerful shield, but this must be matched with robust legal safeguards and widespread community awareness campaigns that challenge discriminatory practices.

Empowering women in agriculture is not an act of charity; it is smart, essential national policy that directly boosts food security, increases household incomes, and secures long-term national resilience.

The government must prioritize gender-responsive agricultural policies and ensure women are not merely included, but centered in all development plans.

Let us sow the seeds of equity, protection, and prosperity by finally standing with the women who feed our nation.