Talks Held in Juba on Women’s Role in Elections

(JUBA) – The National Pre-Consultative Committee for South Sudan (NPC-SS) has opened talks with the Political Parties Council (PPC) on increasing women’s participation in elections. The discussions took place on 19 August 2025 at the PPC offices in Juba and centred on ways to ensure that women are better represented in party nominations ahead of the country’s next elections.

The NPC-SS Executive Director, Poverty Alfred and volunteer Gender Officer, Tabu Jacklin, met with the Deputy Chairperson of the Political Parties Council, Hon. Lona James and the Executive Secretary, Dr Peter James Ladu. Both sides described the meeting as productive and agreed to work closely on future programmes.

A key point of agreement was the plan to organise recorded roundtable dialogues in Juba and Malakal. These events are expected to bring together representatives of political parties to discuss how women will be included in candidate lists and nomination processes. Organisers believe that such open discussions will create awareness within political parties and encourage stronger commitment to gender inclusion.

The initiative forms part of a wider project titled “Women’s Leadership and Political Participation During South Sudan’s Transition Period.”

The project is supported by the Peacebuilding Fund and implemented through UN Women South Sudan. Its main goal is to promote women’s participation in decision making and leadership roles during the country’s political transition.

NPC-SS officials said the meeting with the Political Parties Council laid a strong foundation for the activities to come. They also expressed gratitude to Hon. Lona James and Dr Peter James Ladu for their cooperation and support.

Supporters of the project say greater inclusion of women in politics is vital to strengthening democracy in South Sudan. Women have often been underrepresented in political spaces and civil society groups argue that this must change if the country is to achieve lasting peace and inclusive development.

Stakeholders in Women’s Inclusion Initiative