Newly appointed state government officials in Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State recently spent three days at a trust and confidence building retreat in Wau, learning how to work together across political divides in the best socioeconomic interest of
News
![unmiss south sudan wau politicians retreat trust and confidence building revitalized peace agreement lack of female representation](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/one_woman_two_men_and_a_banner.jpg?itok=s6JEXyzK)
A hundred newly appointed politicians in Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State discussing how to function across party lines. Photos: Jimmy Ludanga/UNMISS
![unmiss south sudan lainya school thailand thai peacekeepers handover educational material sports equipment clothes fans chairs](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/best_by_far.jpg?itok=UOMorspj)
A visit by Thai peacekeepers, educational material, sports equipment, chairs, fans and clothes proved a winning combination to children at a primary school in Lainya County.
![UNMISS traditional courts community leaders human rights](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/phillip_1_0.jpg?itok=cDH9A0cS)
Community leaders presiding over traditional courts in Yambio were recently trained on upholding human rights standards by UNMISS. Photo by Phillip Mbugo/UNMISS.
![International Women's Day UNMISS South Sudan Radio Miraya](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/iwd_2021.jpg?itok=fKhwSAgE)
Despite COVID-19 lockdowns, women across South Sudan came together to discuss the importance of including women in politics, peacebuilding and post-pandemic recovery efforts through talk shows held on Radio Miraya during the month of March. These radio shows were held to commemorate International Women's Day.
![unmiss south sudan yambio western equatoria gender covid-19 face masks political representation female participation women](https://unmiss.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/styles/380x220/public/field/image/masks_and_aprons_en_masse.jpg?itok=uxAbbcy6)
Aprons and face masks en masse in Yambio when UNMISS discussed gender issues with a group of women.
Photo: Denis Louro Olivier/UNMISS