HealthNet TPO is committed to empowering women and youth to contribute to sustainable peace processes in South Sudan by creating a safe and inclusive environment. Our work focuses on creating such an environment through psychosocial support in the Leaders of Peace project. We train Psychosocial Focal Points (PFPs) to provide mental health assistance and raise awareness on mental health issues in their local communities, particularly those relating to forced marriages, sexual and gender-based violence.

South Sudanese women leaders from most parts of the country convened in Juba on October 19th and 20th for the Annual Women Leaders Conference. This gathering created an opportunity for women to discuss issues affecting them and to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Organised by the Eve Organisation, it combined efforts from the Leaders of Peace consortium members including HealthNet TPO, Plan International, Pax and AMA.

The event brought together over 80 women from the 10 states and about 50 women from the capital of Juba, among which prominent women leaders in South Sudan and minister of Defense Angelina Teny as the guest of honor. Minister Teny stated the following:

"To ensure women security and make sure all women are protected, it is a collective effort, each one of you has a role to play, so does the government, play your role and raise awareness."

HealthNet TPO also invited a woman police representative from the gender-based violence (GBV) desk, the chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), and the chairperson of the Terekeka women union.

The debates touched upon a variety of topics ranging from the implementation of the Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) to climate change and mental health. A woman leader from Yambio suggested that "the government should set up a women enterprise trust fund, so women in the states can be empowered and supported to come up with self sustainable businesses."

The conference gathered a number of similar recommendations from all the women, including the following:

1. Ensure that the 35% affirmative action in the peace agreement is fully implemented.

2. Create awareness in the communities on how women can play their role in decision-making.

3. Urge the government to hold accountable companies operating in oil fields, cleaning their areas of operations and protecting the environment.

4. Improve the provision of mental health psychosocial support services in the communities which are easily accessible for all women.

5. Establish a women enterprise fund to support women-led businesses.