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STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / GHANIAN PEACEKEEPERS EMPOWERING WOMEN
TRT: 03:19
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 19 MARCH 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, GhanBatt training women and on guard around IDP
2. SOUNDBITE (English) John Jok, Administrator, Nying Payam, Unity State:
“It is new to us because we have never seen this kind of work before, like the work you have brought to us by UNMISS and GhanBatt [the Ghanaian peacekeeping contingent] today. We will follow the work that you are teaching us today, we are all happy here in the payam today.”
3. Various shots, women been trained
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Captain Nancy Mensah, Battalion Engagement Platoon Commander, Ghana, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“By training these women, these skills, we are looking at empowering them economically or giving them some kind of economic independence because, by acquiring these skills in crafts, women can start their own businesses and generate income. This financial independence will not only improve their quality of life, but it will also help contribute to their community's development and the nation as a whole.”
5. Various shots, women making beads and cows being vaccinated
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Captain Nancy Mensah, Battalion Engagement Platoon Commander, Ghana, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“In South Sudan, cattle are so dear to the men and women of South Sudan, they hold it so dear to their hearts, and vaccinating these cattle brings people together because you go to a community and people come from far away to bring their cattle. And then they end up interacting among themselves discussing and all of this in a way, is to foster peace and security in South Sudan.”
7. Various shots, cattle getting vaccinated
Ghanaian peacekeepers held a vocational training workshop to empower local women by developing the skills needed to earn an income and build their own businesses, which is critical at a time of economic crisis and severely stretched humanitarian support.
These peacekeepers work in difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions to protect communities and facilitate the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to millions in need across Unity State. They face many challenges, including navigating terrain devastated by catastrophic flooding and the threat of attacks and looting of the convoys they protect.
Outside of these duties, the peacekeepers are committed to helping build the resilience and self-reliance of the communities they serve.
SOUNDBITE (English) John Jok, Administrator, Nying Payam, Unity State:
“It is new to us because we have never seen this kind of work before, like the work you have brought to us by UNMISS and GhanBatt [the Ghanaian peacekeeping contingent] today. We will follow the work that you are teaching us today, we are all happy here in the payam today.”
The sessions included learning the craft of beadmaking and the printing of shirts to be sold in local markets.
SOUNDBITE (English) Captain Nancy Mensah, Battalion Engagement Platoon Commander, Ghana, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“By training these women, these skills, we are looking at empowering them economically or giving them some kind of economic independence because, by acquiring these skills in crafts, women can start their own businesses and generate income. This financial independence will not only improve their quality of life, but it will also help contribute to their community's development and the nation as a whole.”
The training also supports efforts to improve gender equality in a country where women are often excluded from income-generating activities as well as political and peace processes. The peacekeepers’ relationship building efforts include many other activities, such as providing veterinary care to livestock owners across the state. So far, they have treated more than 27,000 cattle, sheep and goats.
SOUNDBITE (English) Captain Nancy Mensah, Battalion Engagement Platoon Commander, Ghana, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“In South Sudan, cattle are so dear to the men and women of South Sudan, they hold it so dear to their hearts, and vaccinating these cattle brings people together because you go to a community and people come from far away to bring their cattle. And then they end up interacting among themselves discussing and all of this in a way, is to foster peace and security in South Sudan.”
These peacebuilding efforts are even more important as the country teeters on the brink of a relapse into widespread violence due to conflict in neighboring Upper Nile and rising tensions in Juba. By helping communities to embrace unity, these UNMISS peacekeepers demonstrate they truly are partners in peace.
