Women leaders from across the capital Juba are participating in a two-day forum to empower them as important actors in the peace process in their workplaces, homes and communities.

The forum, organised by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, draws together 50 women leaders to explore ways in which women can become involved in the prevention, management, and resolution of conflict at all levels.

“For you to participate fully in peace building processes in your country, you have to remove the fear of the unknown that the required change might bring, and take every risk for the decisions and actions you have taken,“ UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer, James Mugo Muriithi, told the women at the forum opening.

Susan Wasuk, Caretaker Chair of Jubek State Women’s Union, says it is vital women learn conflict management and conflict mitigation skills, as they are often at the center of, and suffer most from, domestic, economic, and political violence.

“We have to protect ourselves before we can call on some other people to support and protect us,” she said. “The process should start individually before it can spread to a group and then to the larger community, including the country as a whole.”

Susan Wasuk said that communities must learn how to prevent and resolve local disputes so that durable peace across the country can be achieved. Because of the ongoing violence in South Sudan, she said all levels of society need to be equipped with conflict management tools.

UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer, Elizabeth Hammond, said that the forum would help her team understand the challenges faced by local women to ensure the Mission could give them appropriate support in future, including additional training.