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South Sudan

CSRF Analysis: South Sudanese Women Negotiating Agency in Conflict Resolution

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By Gaya Raddadi and the Conflict Sensitivity Resource Facility

Women in South Sudan are subject to limited access to political, economic, social resources due to the country’s rigid patriarchal structure. Nevertheless, women have been negotiating their agency and influence for decades, playing a crucial role in state-building, peacebuilding, and development processes. Beyond their formal role as agents of peace, considering the informal dimensions through which South Sudanese women influence peace and conflict are vastly significant for aid actors to grasp conflict dynamics and the untapped potential of women’s participation and influence. This analysis provides insights into the diverse roles that women hold in South Sudanese society, their challenges and negotiated access and influence. The analysis will vastly focus on informal process and will provide practical recommendations for aid workers and peacebuilders.