Press release

Germany pledges funds to increase women’s participation in peace processes

German Ambassador Johannes Lehne and Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain, UN Women South Sudan Representative, signed the agreement worth almost 400,000 Euro in Juba on December 29, 2015.

The funds are used to promote the sustained participation of women in the implementation of the peace agreement and the transitional mechanisms at all levels.

“Women and children are the most vulnerable people in war-torn countries like South Sudan. Assisting women in taking an active role in peace building processes, will strengthen themselves as well as their children in becoming mature citizens of this nation,” the German Ambassador to South Sudan Johannes Lehne said during the signing ceremony.

Izeduwa Derex-Briggs, the Country Representative of UN Women South Sudan said: “The implementation will be done in close collaboration and partnership with key stakeholders engaged in the South Sudan peace process.”

“South Sudanese women organisations will have a special role during the implementation process, because their expertise is essential. They know what is needed to strengthen the capacity of women and are aware about the challenges women are facing within their own communities,” she added.

The German Government also signed an agreement with UN Women in New York on December 18, 2015 pledging three million Euro to support “sustainable livelihood activities for women and reduction of sexually gender based violence among displaced populations and host communities in South Sudan and Mali”.

The funding will be allocated with 50 percent to South Sudan and 50 percent to Mali.

“I am happy that the agreement in New York was signed as well, which will allow UN Women to enhance activities and to lay a foundation for sustainable livelihood for women in South Sudan,” Lehne said.