A local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) over the weekend launched a two-year project worth USD 87,000 to enhance local capacities to fight gender-based violence in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State.
The project, funded by Safer World in partnership with Hope for Restoration, will be implemented by the Women Agency for Progress Organization (WAPO) in the towns of Torit and Nimule.
Odwa Charles Celesio, the project manager and acting executive director of WAPO, said the project intends to support women and girls in peacebuilding.
“The objective of launching the UN Peace Building Fund Project is to enable stakeholders’ understanding of project implementation strategies and sustainability plans and the introduction of United Nations Peace Building Fund,” he said. “The title of the project is Resourcing Change Project Including Peacebuilding from the Ground Up in Supporting Women Civil Society Organizations Network in South Sudan. This project was written in a consortium by Safer World and Hope for Restoration.”
For her part, Dominica Idwa, the Director General in the state Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, welcomed the project and said it will change the lives of women and girls.
“I know it is tedious but let us try our best to make sure we them the women and girls,” she counseled. “We should not only work for women but men as well so that they understand the exact meaning of the project.”
Meanwhile, Mary Chandia, a student at Torit Health Science Institute, thanked Safer World and Hope for Restoration for conceptualizing the project.
“The project is intended to empower women and girls and if it is implemented in good faith, it will help us,” she said. “I thank Safer World for their support in improving the lives of women and girls.”
Laila Hifita, a female sub-chief in the Angaur residential area, urged the partners to implement the project as planned because some organizations squander project funds and do not even reach out to the target populace.
“This project should be implemented in good faith, it should not be hidden because we have already known it today. It is a very good project and I am very happy for such an initiative to support the women of Eastern Equatoria,” she said. “However, most of these projects intended to support women and girls are not implemented in totality. I am also appealing to Safer World to partner with women and girls in creating awareness at the grassroots for positive change to reign.”