By Guya Scopas Bethuel
The German Embassy in South Sudan is supporting five community-based projects to improve education, protection, economic empowerment, and the well-being of women and girls in Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, and Western Bahr el Ghazal states.
The projects, directly funded by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2026, seek to address locally identified challenges affecting women and girls, including unsafe learning environments, limited economic opportunities, menstrual health concerns and the need for stronger community cohesion.
Sebastian Brökelmann, German Ambassador to South Sudan, said women and girls play an important role in promoting peace and development and should be supported to participate meaningfully in their communities.
“Women and girls are not only beneficiaries of peace and development. They are important actors in building peaceful, resilient and inclusive communities,” Brökelmann said following the signing of the funding contracts.
He added that supporting their education, economic opportunities, protection and participation was an investment in sustainable peace at the community level.
According to the Embassy, community-based partners will implement the initiatives, building on existing community structures to create safer and more supportive environments for women, girls and other community members.
In Eastern Equatoria State, two projects will focus on improving access to education and learning conditions.
In Narus, St. Joseph Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Torit is undertaking an initiative to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for girls at St. Bakhita Girls Secondary School.
Sebastian Brökelmann, German Ambassador to South Sudan poses for a group photo with the staff of St. Joseph Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Torit after the signing of the funding contract in Juba on October 1, 2026 (Photo: German Embassy)
The project aims to encourage girls to remain in school and access education in an environment that supports their development and future participation in society.
Meanwhile, in Lafon County, African Parks South Sudan is supporting Lafon Secondary School to improve the learning environment for students and teachers.
The initiative seeks to strengthen access to education and equip young people with knowledge and skills that could improve their employment opportunities and contributions to their communities.
In Central Equatoria State, the Women and Children Protection Initiative (WACPI) is implementing a project in Kator Payam that combines women’s economic empowerment with peace leadership and community dialogue.
The initiative seeks to help women develop livelihood opportunities while strengthening their participation in peacebuilding and social cohesion activities.
The Embassy said improving women’s economic resilience could strengthen their ability to support their families, exercise leadership and participate in community decision-making.
Another initiative in Juba County, implemented by the Community Empowerment Organization for Peace and Development, targets adolescent girls with information and support on menstrual health, dignity and peer support.
The project aims to increase awareness, strengthen peer networks and encourage informed decision-making among adolescent girls, helping them participate more confidently in education and community life.
In Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, the Acting Community Team is improving an existing centre and transforming it into a Women and Girls’ Friendly Space.
Sebastian Brökelmann, German Ambassador to South Sudan poses for a photo with staff of the Acting Community Team after the signing of the funding contract in Juba on October 1, 2026 (Photo: German Embassy)
The centre is expected to provide a platform for protection, economic empowerment and community support for women and girls.
The German Embassy said the five initiatives reflect Germany’s commitment to locally led approaches to peace, development and resilience in South Sudan.
The projects also highlight the connection between women’s empowerment, peace and security, with the Embassy noting that access to education, livelihood opportunities, dignity and participation in decision-making can help women and girls contribute to social cohesion and peaceful conflict resolution.
Germany supports humanitarian assistance and long-term development in South Sudan, including local governance, rural development, sustainable agri-food systems, water and sanitation, peace and reconciliation, gender equality and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence.