ABOUT US

YWCA South Sudan was as established in 1997 as a women’s group in the local Anglican Church of Yambio, a town in Western Equatoria region of South Sudan. In 2001, the organization partnered with the other YWCA’s both within and outside East Africa. Partnership with other YWCAs enabled the founders of YWCA South Sudan to be trained and restructure the organization. By 2011, the organization was affiliated to the World YWCA and was later registered as National Non-governmental Organization in South Sudan.

Currently, YWCA South Sudan has seven branches located in the former South Sudan States of Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Western Bar el Ghazal. The organization’s head office is located in Yambio and a national coordination office in Juba. YWCA South Sudan’s work currently focuses on five thematic programs areas namely, improving protection and security for girls and women, Enhanced women’s and girls’ economic empowerment, Leadership capacity of young women and strengthening institutional governance.

Vision of YWCA of South Sudan

A society where the human rights of women and girls and a sustainable environment are promoted achieved and protected through women’s leadership.

Mission of YWCA of South Sudan

To empower women, girls and youth in South Sudan to achieve justice, peace, health, human dignity and sustainable environment and to develop their leadership skills and values to effectively participate in nation building

Core Values

Transparency, Accountability, Team building Efficiency, Unity of purpose , Non-discrimination and Voluntarism

Organizational Structure

YWCA South Sudan is governed by a board that is elected by a General Assembly. The management of YWCA South Sudan is headed by the Executive Director. The Executive Director reports to the national board while the board report to the organization’s General Assembly. The organization currently has 62 staff and volunteers all of whom are nationals.

Non Governmental Relations

YWCA South Sudan is a member of NGO forum, South Sudan protection and GBV cluster and sub-clusters. Equally, the organization has established a friendly working relationship with both National and international NGOs

Membership

YWCA has an annual type of membership, where members pay an annual fee upon renewal. We have over 5000 registered members across our branches in South Sudan with 40% being men.

Despite the organization’s identity as the Young Women Christian Association, gender sensitive is of utmost importance. YWCA does not segregate when it comes to issues that affect the community, the organization works with both women and men. Although the organization is Christian based, it respects every religion and has interfaith-based members.

The YWCA of South Sudan empowers young women to develop leadership skills and take part in decision making at all levels.

YWCA Programs and activities

Governance and Civil Society coordination

YWCA South Sudan works with other partners to strengthen linkages and coordination among civil society organizations. We strive to bridge the information gap among civil society actors and provide much-needed space and information resources to the civil society community.

YWCA South Sudan believes that civic engagement is vital because it provides all civil society organizations with a neutral platform for interaction and helps promote an active, informed, organized and vibrant CSO community that constructively participates in civic and political processes through issue-based platforms.

Peace building and Peacemakers program

Being a membership organization, YWCA South Sudan draws its strength from its member’s majority of who are young people. YWCA South Sudan’s youth members across all its branches work to promote unity and peaceful coexistence in their communities. They engage in activities that promote peace (drama, sports, songs, and dancing, short movies) and use both social media and mainstream media disseminate messages of peace to the public.

Psychosocial support: Trauma healing and support

YWCA South Sudan started the psychosocial support program in 2011 as an initiative to assist community members to recover and heal from conflict-related trauma. Though this program, YWCA South Sudan has been able to offer counseling and legal aid to many survivors. It works to provide access to justice for vulnerable community members, reduce rate GBV and increase awareness on human rights and peace building at the grassroots levels.

Economic Empowerment

Economic empowerment program is designed to improve the livelihood of rural communities of South Sudan. YWCA South Sudan trains community members on entrepreneurial skills and encourages joint savings and investments. Between 2014 and 2019, we have been able to work successfully with 7,000 community members.

Advocacy

YWCA South Sudan carries out advocacy for peace both nationally and internationally. The advocacy program strives to empower young women to able to engage directly with policy and decision makers. We encourage the participation of young women in peace forums at all levels. For instance, a South Sudanese young woman supported by YWCA South Sudan was able to speak during the opening of the 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March 2019.

Education and Information services.

In response to the need for quality education, YWCA South Sudan established a nursery and primary school in the town of Maridi. The school has a special focus on peace education and psychosocial support to children affected by conflict.

Information services ~ YWCA South Sudan operates the Yambio Civic Engagement Centre (YCEC) which is supported by DI. The centre has well-stocked with computers, library, and conference facilities and allows the CSO community, students and citizen’s access and share information freely.

HIV/AIDS Program

YWCA South Sudan currently implements an HIV/AIDs program in South Sudan’s Western State of Tambura. We work closely with other partners within the State to provide HIV/AIDS education and access to Antiviral Drugs.

Let Girls Talk Program

The Let Girls Talk initiative aims at creating safe space for girls to discuss issues affecting them, share experiences and be able to jointly voice their concerns. Through this initiative, girls have access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.

Publications

YWCA South Sudan publishes a quarterly newsletter in Yambio that covers events, activities and programs carried out by the organization and other CSOs within Gbudue State. We encourage and publication of articles on issues affecting women by young women.