Women at the UNMISS protection of civilians (PoC) site in the Upper Nile State capital Malakal were briefed today on the recently signed peace agreement in South Sudan.

“We are here to sensitize you on the peace process and its implementation, plus your role as women within the (PoC) site to unite and work for peace and reconciliation,” said Nyadeng Gordon Ajawin, chairperson of the South Sudan Women Network for Peace, which organized the one-day workshop.

“This is the time for us to restore peace in our country,” she added. “Children and women are vulnerable in this ongoing crisis, so peace should come without any delay.”

Participant Achol Nyibong noted that the ongoing crisis was having social and psychological effects on all who were going through it. “We are happy today and actually encouraged by this sensitization workshop.”

Another leader from Malakal praised women in South Sudan for carrying peace messages across the country.

“We are pleased by the role women are playing, especially in this era in the country, as you have showed us through your (the network’s) activities,” said Rachel Mayik.

The workshop was the first activity the South Sudan Women Network for Peace had carried out in Malakal.

The PoC site in Malakal is currently sheltering over 40,000 internally displaced persons mainly from Malakal and surrounding areas.