JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN, 4 March 2026—The Government of South Sudan, through the
Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare (MGCS
Hon. Nuna Rhoda Rudolf Ndefu, Minister for Gender, Child and Social Welfare, lays the foundation stone for the new Ministry headquarters in Juba.
W), has officially started the construction
of its new headquarters along Yei Road in Juba. In a groundbreaking ceremony this morning, led
by the Hon. Minister for Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, Hon. Nuna Rhoda Rudolf Ndefu, it
marked a historic milestone in the nation’s journey toward gender equality and strengthened
social services.
The headquarters is being developed under the South Sudan Women’s Social and Economic
Empowerment Project (SSWSEEP), a $52 million flagship initiative of the Government of South
Sudan. Funded by the World Bank, the project underscores strong partnerships in support of
national priorities.
As part of this initiative, UNOPS is responsible for implementing the construction component—
specifically the new Ministry headquarters in Juba, a safe house, and two Women’s Economic
Community Centers (WECCs) in Torit and Wau. Beyond construction, the broader SSWSEEP
program encompasses additional interventions led by the Ministry and partners to strengthen
women’s economic resilience, expand services for survivors of gender-based violence, and build
institutional capacity for inclusive service delivery.
The event drew senior government officials, development partners, and leaders from the World
Bank and the United Nations, signalling broad support for the ministry’s vision of building
resilient institutions that deliver inclusive services nationwide.
The Minister also paid tribute to H.E. Mama Rebecca Nyandeng De’ Mabior, Vice President for
the Gender and Youth Cluster, crediting her vision and leadership for initiating SSWSEEP and
championing women’s empowerment.
“Your Excellency, we stand on ground that you prepared. We build on a foundation that you
laid. On behalf of every woman and girl in South Sudan, I am here to give much appreciation to
Mama Rebecca Nyandeng for fighting for us,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Mr Charles Undeland, World Bank Country Manager for South Sudan,
says the bank is happy being part of the strengthening of government institutions to deliver their
mandates.
“We at the World Bank are happy to be supporting the South Sudan Women’s Social and
Economic Empowerment Project (SSWSEEP). It’s a project with many facets, and the whole
goal is to work in partnership with the Government of South Sudan to enable it to deliver to the
people of the country,” he said, expressing confidence that the infrastructure and other
components of the project will be successfully delivered within the timeframe.
Mrs Petronella Kasaka Halwiindi, UNOPS Country Manager, calls the construction a decisive
step toward empowering women and strengthening national institutions in South Sudan.
“Today’s groundbreaking marks more than the start of construction—it marks a decisive step
toward empowering women and strengthening national institutions in South Sudan. On behalf of
the Government of South Sudan and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, UNOPS
is committed to delivering this critical infrastructure in Juba, Wau, and Torit—creating spaces
that strengthen institutions, expand economic opportunities for women, and anchor inclusive
development. This foundation stone reflects the government’s commitment to transformation and
our shared vision to turn policy into tangible results for South Sudan,” she said.