In an effort to empower women in the region, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in Northern Bahr el Gahzal region has handed over two quick impact projects to communities in Aweil town and in the Aweil East area.

On Wednesday, the peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in Aweil handed over a resource centre to the women in Aweil town. The UNMISS-funded project, worth USD 47,000, was implemented by the Diocese of Aweil Relief and Development.

Achol Ngong, the women’s representative, is happy about the new facilities.

“We had started this center under the tree some years back, and now we have this building. Thank God and the UN Mission for this great gift. We will now enjoy this office,” she said and added:

“We women are often left behind. In this centre, we shall gain education, business support and support the children on the street to re-unify them with their families. We are going to fight against early marriage, gender-based violence and learn about the rights of women and human rights.”

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the state governor of Aweil, Mr. Wol Kuot, described the project as the greatest thing done by UNMISS in Aweil.

“This is a great achievement by the UN Mission and the Diocese.  I believe this is one of the great things that has been donated to women here. What I want to tell the UN is that I think you have created a new life for our women,” he said.

The acting Head of the UN Mission’s Field Office in Aweil, Antonina Okuta, also spoke on the occasion.

“The main objective of this project is to empower and uplift the women in this region. It is meant to improve the household income, to improve the status of vulnerable women and strengthen their resilience. Today, we hand it over to the community, with the expectation that it will benefit thousands of women in Aweil and in the greater Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal region.”

On Tuesday, UNMISS handed over a solar powered water yard to the community of War-Akech in the Aweil East area. The project, worth approximately USD 43,000, was implemented by the Pan Awel Development Agency.