The Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare (MGCSW), in partnership with UN Women
and CARE International, has officially launched Component 1 of the South Sudan Women’s
Social and Economic Empowerment Project (SSWSEEP) in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
The launch ceremony, held at the Universal Gab Hotel in Wau and presided over by Hon. Mary
Karlino Modut, State Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, brought together diverse
group of stakeholders — including representatives from the national MGCSW, state officials, the
Ministry of Cooperatives, Wau City Council, traditional chiefs, women’s groups, youth groups,
and people living with disabilities. The wide attendance underscored the project’s inclusive and
community-driven approach.
Component 1 is poised to play a pivotal role in expanding opportunities and strengthening the
resilience of women and adolescent girls in the state. It aims to equip women with practical
skills, provide entrepreneurship support, and improve access to essential resources, enabling
them to establish and grow sustainable enterprises.
Beyond economic advancement, the initiative focuses strongly on social empowerment —
boosting women’s leadership roles, deepening community engagement, and strengthening
protection systems that uphold the rights and well-being of women and girls. Recognizing that
gender equality requires a collective effort, the programme also works with men and boys to
address harmful norms, foster inclusive dialogue, and build allies for lasting change.
In her keynote remarks, Hon. Mary Karlino Modut described the initiative as a “strategic
investment in the state’s human capital”, noting:
“Empowering women and girls is not just a moral imperative — it is the foundation for resilient
families, stronger communities, and sustainable development.”
During the launch, Susan Felix, Director General of Gender and representative of the national
Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, commended the people of Western Bahr el
Ghazal for their strong commitment to the project’s goals. She emphasized the importance of
transparency and fairness in implementation, urging all stakeholders to uphold administrative
integrity.
“If it comes to selection, let’s work administratively — without discrimination or favoritism,”
she stated. “Put the interest of the project above personal agendas.”
Felix reminded participants that the Ministry remains the lead institution for SSWSEEP, with
partners offering technical support to strengthen delivery. She clarified that the project’s
branding reflects this leadership:
“This is a Ministry-led initiative — that’s why you see only the Ministry’s logo. The partners are
here to support us technically.”
She also encouraged open communication and accountability, noting:
“You are the eyes of the project. If you have complaints or concerns, please come directly to the
Gender Ministry in the state.”
Her remarks reinforced the project’s commitment to ethical standards, community ownership,
and institutional visibility — key pillars for ensuring lasting impact.
Timothy Yobuta, SSWSEEP Project Manager, emphasized that the project belongs to the
communities it serves:
“Every woman, every girl, every family benefiting from it is a true architect of its success. Our
role is to support, facilitate, and amplify their voices and aspirations.”
He further described the launch as “hope, opportunity, and transformation”, calling on all
partners to work with transparency, dedication, and focus on
Stakeholders gather for a group photo during the official launch of SSWSEEP Component 1 at Universal Gab Hotel, Wau
the shared goal of women’s and
girls’ empowerment.
From UN Women, Lansana Wonneh, Project Manager, reaffirmed the importance of
collaboration:
“This new project will build on the work already done with the Ministry of Gender, Child, and
Social Welfare in supporting women’s economic empowerment through Village Savings and
Loan Associations (VSLAs). To succeed, we will need men and boys as allies in creating an
enabling environment for women increased economic participation.”
Under Component 1, 400 VSLAs in Jur River County and Wau County will benefit directly from
targeted support aimed at boosting economic resilience and fostering community-driven
development.
The launch not only marked the start of an important chapter for women’s and girls’
empowerment in Western Bahr el Ghazal but also reinforced the government’s commitment to
advancing gender equality as a cornerstone of sustainable peace and development in South
Sudan.