 in Juba, aiming to strengthen women’s political leadership, cooperation and preparedness for elections.){kind=link}
By Ginaba Lino
Women from different political parties and civil society organizations have launched the Women Cross-Party Forum (WCPF) in Juba, aiming to strengthen women’s political leadership, cooperation and preparedness for elections.
The forum was officially launched on Tuesday under the theme, “Building a Strong Institutional Foundation for Women’s Cross-Party Collaboration,” during a two-day workshop focused on establishing a common platform for women to work across political affiliations.
The launch brought together women political leaders, civil society representatives, development partners and other stakeholders for consultations, validation and adoption of key forum documents, alongside discussions on women’s participation in democratic processes.
The initiative seeks to strengthen women’s capacity to engage in electoral processes, promote peaceful and inclusive elections, and encourage collaboration among women leaders despite differences in political affiliation.
Chairperson of the South Sudan Cross-Party Forum, Hon. Victoria Benjamin Mosese, said the initiative was established in March 2026 to provide a platform for women from different political parties and civil society organizations to promote dialogue, solidarity and meaningful participation in decision-making.
“Although we come from different political parties and civil society organizations, we share a common goal of increasing women’s representation in decision-making, leadership and electoral processes,” Mosese said.
She encouraged participants to translate the workshop’s discussions into practical actions within their respective organizations, saying the forum’s success would depend on the results achieved beyond the launch.
Hon. Lona James Elia, the forum’s founder and adviser, said the initiative emerged from efforts to bring women together across political divisions to address shared challenges, including limited resources and barriers to political participation.
Elia credited the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), particularly its Political Affairs Division, for supporting the process that led to the forum’s establishment.
She also called for transparent and inclusive efforts to mobilize resources to support aspiring women candidates who have leadership potential, but lack the financial means to participate effectively in elections.
“As we look towards the anticipated December 2026 elections, our greatest strength lies not in our individual political affiliations but in our collective determination to advance women’s leadership,” Elia said.
She urged women to maintain solidarity despite political competition and called for the development of a clear roadmap to guide the forum’s activities, including mentoring aspiring women leaders and mobilizing resources.
Alawia Kai, a political affairs officer at UNMISS, welcomed the launch, describing the forum as a practical example of women from different political parties and civil society organizations working together.
Kai said the continued meetings and activities of the forum’s working group demonstrated a commitment to sustaining cooperation beyond individual events.
She encouraged women to strengthen unity and collaborate across political lines, particularly as women continue to face challenges in securing political representation.
Kai emphasized that UNMISS remained committed to supporting initiatives that advance women’s participation and equal representation.
Prof. Dr. Julia Aker Duany, chairperson of the South Sudan Women’s Union and executive director of the Gender Equity and Women Leadership Programme at the University of Juba, urged women to recognize their existing leadership abilities and build on them through knowledge and experience.
Duany said political participation involves engaging communities, communicating ideas and advocating for citizens’ needs, including access to education, healthcare, food security and economic opportunities.
She calls on women to view voting as an important means of influencing public leadership and holding political leaders accountable for delivering services and protecting citizens’ rights.
The forum is expected to provide a platform for continued dialogue, capacity-building and coordination among women from different political backgrounds.
Its effectiveness will depend on how members implement the commitments made during the workshop and sustain collaboration as South Sudan prepares for its anticipated December 2026 elections.