Engaging Female Youth in Monthly Chief Meetings in Bor, South Sudan

By Nonviolent Peaceforce Office in South Sudan

Over the past few months, the Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) Bor team in South Sudan has been working with a group of adolescent girls in Bor Town. The NP Bor team efforts focus on supporting them in addressing protection challenges that they face in their community.

The girls recently requested an opportunity to present their protection concerns in the bi-monthly chiefs meeting. The bi-monthly chiefs' meeting is an NP-sponsored forum that hosts many of the leaders in Bor Town. A number of humanitarian agencies, the police and the County Relief and Rehabilitation Commission Director also attend. However, when the girls arrived at the meeting their presence and attempted participation elicited a strong reaction from the chiefs, who claimed that it was not appropriate for the girls to attend.

While the NP team attempted to defend the girls during the meeting, the chiefs were insistent in their views. Following the meeting, the team worked diligently to consult with the chiefs in order to find a positive alternative for the girls. Some chiefs suggested that the girls have their own meeting directly with the humanitarians. However, others called for even more girls in Bor to receive training and be given a seat at the table.

Such honest engagement by the Bor Team with the chiefs demonstrates that NP takes cultural concerns and suggested alternatives seriously. The process has been a meaningful way for NP to continue building our relationship with the chiefs, while also continuing to uphold the importance of empowering the girls. Moreover, such engagement has the potential to serve as a critical foundation in the girls gaining further acceptance as an important voice in the community.