The first International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership is held in South Sudan.

16.02.2023

Fabiana Alves Castro

Women’s Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence.

From 13 to 15 February 2023, the first International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership was held in Juba, South Sudan. Almost 400 women leaders from 15 African countries joined the Conference, including former and current presidents. (United Nations, 2023). The Conference is set in the context of the proximity of South Sudan’s first election since achieving independence in 2011, (Nobel Women’s Initiative, n.d.) and of the entering of the final phase of the 2018 peace agreement. (United Nations, 2023) Its main purpose is of advancing progress, addressing concerns and finding sustainable solutions to issues affecting women across Africa and in South Sudan. (United Nations, 2023)

The event was hosted by H.E. Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan responsible for the Gender and Youth Cluster. It brings together high-profile speakers, experts, leaders, and activists, globally and locally, including speakers such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate H.E. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy UN Secretary General. (Nobel Women’s Initiative, n.d.)

The theme of the Conference was “GuwaTaMara”, which means the strength of women. (United Nations, 2023) Among its aims, the event seeks to create a space for women leaders to be able to reflect on their leadership journeys, discuss actions and strategies to strengthen women’s leadership, as well as expanding networks for shared learning. (Nobel Women’s Initiative, n.d.) Despite the increase in the percentage of representation of women in South Sudan, from 25 to 35 percent, it was agreed during the meetings that challenges remain, in areas such as leadership and governance and gender-based violence. (United Nations, 2023)

Sources and further reading:

Nobel Women’s Initiative. (n.d.). The International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://www.nobelwomensinitiative.org/conference_on_womens_transformational_leadership_2023 

Radio Tamazuj. (2023, February 9). Juba to host first-ever International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/juba-to-host-first-ever-international-conference-on-womens-transformational-leadership

UN Women. (n.d.). South Sudan. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://data.unwomen.org/country/south-sudan 

United Nations Mission in South Sudan. (2023, February 15). International Conference on Women’s Transformational Leadership Plenary Discussion: Partnerships for Women, Peace, and Security Remarks by Mr. Nicholas Haysom Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS (14 February 2023). Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/international-conference-womens-transformational-leadership-plenary-discussion-partnerships-women-peace-and-security-remarks-mr-nicholas-haysom-special-representative-secretary-general-and-head-unmiss-14-february-2023

United Nations. (2022, March 21). South Sudan: ‘hellish existence’ for women and girls, new UN report reveals. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114312 

United Nations. (2023, February 14). Equality drive launched by African women leaders at landmark conference. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/02/1133502