Women Cooperatives in Yei Receive Tricycles

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The Network for Empowered Women Peace Actors South Sudan, known as NEW PASS, has donated tricycles to two women led cooperative societies in Yei River County to support farming and local trade.

The donation aims to ease transport challenges faced by women farmers by helping them move produce from farms to storage centres and local markets.

Organisers say improved transport will help raise efficiency in the agricultural supply chain, strengthen food security and support women to earn income beyond subsistence farming.

Mr Asi Nicholas, Project Coordinator for NEW PASS, said the initiative is supported by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund in partnership with UN Women and is being implemented in Yei River, Lainya, Morobo and Juba counties.

He said the project focuses on economic empowerment through stronger women led cooperatives, peacebuilding by training women to mediate conflicts, and protection by supporting survivors of sexual and gender based violence through cooperative membership.

Mr Nicholas said the programme encourages women to move from subsistence farming to market focused production. He also called on local authorities and traditional leaders to address land access challenges, which he said continue to limit women farmers despite the availability of land in the area.

The handover ceremony was attended by Mr Bosco Lumori, Director of Cooperatives and Rural Development, along with officials from the departments of agriculture and gender and social welfare. Their presence highlighted government support for rural development and women economic participation.

Mrs Viola Nyoka, Chairperson of the Tomore Women Cooperative Society, welcomed the support and called for continued assistance to women farmers. She appealed to partners to provide more resources to help women grow their incomes and sustain their livelihoods.

Grace Betty, representing the Anika Women Cooperative Society, said transport has been a major challenge for her members. She said the tricycles will help move produce from farms to stores more easily. She also requested further support for processing equipment to add value to farm products and increase earnings.

Mrs Tereka Joyce, an extension worker and Chairperson of the Women’s Land Rights Committee, praised the formation of the cooperatives, noting that organising women into groups is difficult but important. She encouraged members to work together and begin land preparation early as the rainy season approaches.

Mr Lumori said cooperation is key to development and peace. He said women empowerment contributes to household stability and strengthens the wider community in Yei River County.