Women's Participation in Post-Conflict Peacebuilding in Juba, South Sudan

The purpose of this study was to examine prevalent underrepresentation of women in the post conflict peacebuilding process. South Sudan which recently gained in 2011 has been experiencing a myriad of conflicts which has seen several post conflict peace building efforts. South Sudanese women have played significant roles in efforts to promote peace in the country, however, they continue to be underrepresented in formal levels their achievements have often gone unrecognized and undocumented. The objective of this research was to examine the roles and strategies used by women in post conflict peacebuilding processes with particular focus on Juba town. The findings indicate that peace building efforts in South Sudan resulted in a higher representation of women at national, local and decision-making levels. However, this was after women's advocacy and request for this involvement, it did not simply come. The findings also indicated that there are still many challenges to women's rights, equality and participation, which affect their roles in peace building. The challenges are asymmetric and include structural barriers embedded in customary laws, as well as low women's access to education. This study concurs with similar studies on the role of women in peace building which found that women have immensely contributed to peace building in South Sudan but with less documentation. It concludes that women can play an effective role in peace processes if they access appropriate routes and are sensitized through awareness creation about the benefits of peace for all concerned and the importance of spreading a culture of peace in the community. Women of (Juba) of South Sudan signify and epitomize a valuable and cutting across ethic lines through marriage. This is evident in the Government of South Sudan and others who seek to build a strong and politically sustainable nation-state and that several challenges confront the women in the socio-political context of South Sudan which inhibit the peace building process. The study recommends that women should continue to build approaches premised on consortia and networks to access slots in peace negations and funding, that post conflict building process should set priorities for the new state through consultations and other democratic processes that involve wide participation for women and ensure women representation at all levels of government. Finally, that the government of South Sudan should address barriers such as exclusion of women from governance by identifying and eliminating socioeconomic, political, and cultural barriers to women's participation at the household, community, and state levels.