Women and Youth Empowerment

Empowering Female Ex-Combatants for Peace and Economic Independence in Central Equatoria

Project Overview

The African Christian Ecumenical Alliance (ACEA), in partnership with UNMISS Rule of Law and Security Institutions Section (RoLSIS), CAD, and GAU, is implementing a Community Violence Reduction (CVR) project aimed at empowering female ex-combatants and supporting their reintegration into civilian life in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan. The project responds to the urgent need to address the social, economic, and psychosocial challenges faced by former combatants—particularly women—who remain in prolonged uncertainty following the conflict.

Over a three-month period, the project will support 97 ex-combatants, including 77 women and 20 men, drawn from the Rajaf, Lologo, and Rambur training centers. Through targeted skills development, livelihood support, and peacebuilding interventions, the initiative seeks to promote economic independence, reduce the risk of re-engagement in violence, and strengthen social cohesion between ex-combatants and host communities.

Context and Rationale

The project contributes to the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) by supporting the reintegration of ex-combatants into civilian life. Since 2020, many former combatants—especially female ex-combatants and Women Associated with Armed Forces and Groups (WAAF/G)—have remained in a state of prolonged limbo due to delays and gaps in the transitional process.

This has left many women facing:

• Economic marginalization and unemployment
• Unresolved trauma and psychosocial distress
• Limited access to reintegration opportunities
• Severe humanitarian and livelihood needs

Without timely support, these vulnerabilities can undermine both personal recovery and broader peace and stabilization efforts. The project therefore provides a practical pathway for women and other ex-combatants to rebuild their lives, regain dignity, and contribute positively to their communities.

Project Goal

The project aims to empower female ex-combatants and other conflict-affected former combatants with livelihood skills, productive assets, and peacebuilding support to enable peaceful reintegration and economic self-reliance.

Target Beneficiaries

The project targets 97 ex-combatants, including:

• 77 female ex-combatants and Women Associated with Armed Forces and Groups (WAAF/G)
• 20 male ex-combatants

Participants are drawn from the Rajaf, Lologo, and Rambur training centers in Central Equatoria.

Key Project Components

1. Vocational Training and Asset Support

In collaboration with the National DDR Commission (NDDRC), the project provides targeted technical and vocational training in:

• Farming and food production
• Business and entrepreneurship

Following the training, beneficiaries will receive starter kits and productive assets to support the establishment of two cooperative enterprises:

• A farming cooperative based in Tokiaman West
• A business cooperative based in Juba

This cooperative model is designed to promote teamwork, accountability, shared ownership, and long-term sustainability of livelihoods.

2. Peacebuilding and Community Violence Reduction

To reduce the likelihood of a return to violence, the project incorporates structured peacebuilding sessions focused on:

• Voluntary Civilian Disarmament (VCD)
• Community Violence Reduction (CVR)

These sessions, facilitated by the NDDRC, are intended to strengthen participants’ understanding of non-violent conflict resolution, peaceful coexistence, and the responsibilities of civilian life after conflict.

3. Community Integration and Social Cohesion

The project supports the active participation of beneficiaries in social cohesion and community integration activities with host communities. These engagements are intended to:

• Build trust between ex-combatants and community members
• Reduce stigma and exclusion
• Promote acceptance and peaceful coexistence
• Advance gender-responsive peacebuilding and reintegration

Expected Results

The project is expected to deliver the following outcomes:

Improved Economic Independence

Female ex-combatants and other participants will gain practical livelihood skills, business knowledge, and productive assets that enable them to generate income and work toward self-reliance.

Reduced Risk of Violence and Re-recruitment

By combining livelihood support with peacebuilding and violence reduction training, the project will help reduce the risk of ex-combatants returning to violence or engaging in harmful coping strategies.

Strengthened Reintegration and Social Cohesion

Participation in cooperative enterprises and social cohesion activities will foster stronger relationships between ex-combatants and host communities, improving acceptance, trust, and social stability.

Enhanced Support for Women in Reintegration

The project places a deliberate focus on female ex-combatants and WAAF/G, helping address their unique reintegration challenges and ensuring they are not left behind in the peace and recovery process.

Strategic Significance

This intervention builds on successful Community Violence Reduction (CVR) models previously implemented by ACEA in Wau and Torit, where skills training and livelihood support demonstrated strong potential for reducing violence, improving resilience, and strengthening local peace. By scaling similar approaches in Central Equatoria, the project contributes to sustainable reintegration and supports broader peacebuilding efforts under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Conclusion

The Empowering Female Ex-Combatants for Peace and Economic Independence in Central Equatoria project offers a timely and practical response to the reintegration challenges faced by female ex-combatants and other former combatants in South Sudan. By linking vocational training, livelihood support, peacebuilding, and social cohesion, the initiative seeks not only to improve economic wellbeing, but also to restore dignity, reduce violence, and strengthen the foundations for lasting peace and stability in Central Equatoria.