13 December 2013 - To advance their profile in peace building in South Sudan, women from Unity State’s Rubkona County today attended a forum in the state capital Bentiu.

Representatives from the state legislative assembly, political parties, women’s organisations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) discussed the role of women in peace building and security at different levels in society.

“You, as a woman are powerful at home,” said a Ugandan lawyer and forum facilitator, Veronica Eragu. “Women have to be courageous to talk about peace at home while trying not to jeopardize their own safety.”

Organized by the NGO Architecture, Engineering, Construction Operations Management (AECOM) and UNMISS, the meeting emphasized the need for education among women in order to empower them in their peace building roles.

The forum also recommended the establishment of peace clubs which they said would improve trust and communication between counties.

A seven-member peace committee was formed to follow up on the recommendations of the workshop, which was the first in a series of eight forums to be held in northern counties of the state between December 2013 and February 2014.

The forums are aimed at empowering women’s peace-building skills, instilling confidence to help them take charge of their security and protection and developing a consensus on desired local policies related to the participation of women in state building, conflict resolution and peace building.