𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐫, 𝐉𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐢 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞.

𝐁𝐨𝐫, 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐧 – 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓-A two-day Chiefs Engagement Conference on Women, Peace, and Security officially opened today at the Park Palace Hotel in Bor, Jonglei State, bringing together 60 key stakeholders from across Jonglei state.Held under the theme.“𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬’ 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲,” the conference runs from May 21st to 22nd. It aims to foster meaningful dialogue on the critical role traditional leadership plays in promoting gender equality and advancing peace within communities.Participants include traditional authorities, county and state government officials, members of parliament, commissioners, judicial officers, organized forces, women’s groups, persons with disabilities, NGOs, and representatives of internally displaced persons (IDPs).Speaking at the official opening, the Honorable Commissioner of Bor County expressed appreciation to CARE South Sudan and the Women Empowerment Centre South Sudan (WECSS) for spearheading the initiative. He emphasized the importance of women’s economic empowerment, particularly in the business sector.“In Jonglei State, and especially here in Bor County, women are leading in business more than men. We appreciate the role the Women Empowerment Centre South Sudan is playing,” said the Commissioner. He further encouraged continued outreach to women entrepreneurs, emphasizing that increased focus on business leads to stronger and more resilient communities.The Commissioner also commended the police for their contribution to promoting women’s peace and security, particularly through their support in agricultural sites and efforts toward the implementation of the community resettlement agenda in Jonglei State.This conference is a key component of the 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧, 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐚𝐧 (𝐒𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐎) program, funded by BMZ Germany in partnership with CARE SOUTH SUDAN.This significant event marks a step forward in strengthening collaboration between traditional leaders and civil society in addressing cultural barriers to women, peace, and security.

Participants posed in a group photo outside the conference Hall at Park Palace Hotel, Bor Jonglei State. Credit: WECSS