WESTERN BAHR EL GHAZAL - At the Women’s Union Centre in Wau, conversations often tell stories of survival. Women come from different organizations, each carrying the burden of daily responsibilities: finding ways to earn income, caring for children, and navigating an economy that has become increasingly harsh.
For many, the once-dilapidated building is not where their work begins; it is where their experiences converge.
The Women’s Union acts as a shared platform, bringing together women already active in various groups for support and collective action around common livelihood challenges.
In a place where opportunities can be scarce and incomes unreliable, that sense of connection helps women find new ways to cope, adapt, and move forward.
Among those women is Badriya Edwards, who stood behind a modest display of liquid soap and handmade products during an International Women’s Day event. To many, it might have looked like a small exhibition. To her, it was a lifeline.
“It’s this business that helps me support my children and pay their school fees,” she said. “It’s hard, particularly in this economic environment. But when other women stand with me, we keep going.”
Badriya, an English teacher by profession, is also a mother of four and a caregiver to other children from her village who lost their parents at a young age. Bringing them to Wau was a way to help them access education and build a better future. But it also meant taking on even more responsibilities.
“Teaching alone cannot sustain us,” she explained. “There is little income from the school. So, I started my own business.”
Like many women in South Sudan, she juggles multiple roles: provider, caregiver, and entrepreneur. Through one of the organizations linked to the Women’s Union, she has found a network of support that allows women already working on different initiatives to learn from one another and grow.
“When I come here, I meet women who understand my struggles,” she said. “We share life skills, and now I can also teach others.”
Nearby, Monira Matia held up a bright, beaded necklace she made herself. Through her work with women and girls, she has seen how practical skills can open new opportunities.
“Where I work, we teach bead-making and other marketable skills so women can start small businesses,” she said. “Some are now saving money. Some are paying school fees. It might seem small, but it changes lives.”
For many women, economic pressure is only part of the story.
“As women, we bear responsibility for the children,” Monira added. “Sometimes there is no father or family support. But life must go on.”
Still, change is starting to take hold.
“We were vulnerable before,” she said. “Now women are beginning to stand on their own. The Women’s Union helps us connect and believe in our strength.”
This quiet transformation was reinforced by infrastructural support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Through one of its Quick Impact Projects in 2019, UNMISS helped refurbish the Wau Women’s Union.
A long-abandoned building became a safe, functional space where women can now meet, organize, develop skills, and raise issues affecting their lives. Today, measured by women’s active participation, it marks a new dawn. By working with local authorities, partners, and women’s groups, UNMISS continues to support women’s livelihoods and leadership as part of broader efforts to strengthen social cohesion and help communities become more resilient.
“When women have the chance to come together and organize around shared challenges, they are better able to support their families and contribute to stability. That’s why it was necessary to provide a safe space before we can expand our technical support,” said Sara Ugele, a Gender Officer with UNMISS.
In Wau, progress isn’t always measured by big announcements. Sometimes it’s found in a woman learning a new skill, keeping her business afloat, or earning just enough to keep a child in school.
For Badriya, each bottle of soap represents more than just income. It signifies hope.
At the Women’s Union Centre, that hope is taking hold; carried forward by women supporting women.
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Busang Davies Maruping
