South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The Power Voices Project, led by PAX and its partners, has officially concluded in South Sudan after years of fostering meaningful change in governance, community engagement, women’s empowerment, and security training.
Speaking during the official closing ceremony of the project in South Sudan yesterday, Ira Emmanuel Dila, the country director for PAX in South Sudan, highlighted the project’s impact across multiple sectors, including policy changes, enhanced community engagement, increased women’s participation, safety and security training, psychosocial support, and gender-transformative actions.
“Through the interventions of our partners, we have engaged state authorities, non-state actors, the international community, civil society organisations, the media, and ordinary citizens,” he explained. “This demonstrates that the programme has driven change through numerous stakeholders.”
He emphasised that although South Sudan faces challenges in achieving several sustainable development goals due to instability and governance issues, the Power Voices Project showcased the potential for transformative action.
“The legacy of this project lies in empowering citizens and strengthening state authorities. It proves that even in difficult contexts, meaningful change is attainable,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Floor Nuiten Elzinga, the Deputy Ambassador of the Netherlands Embassy in South Sudan, commended the partners for their successful implementation of the five-year Power Voices Project.
“We deeply appreciate the commitment of all partners who have undertaken this work in South Sudan. The project has provided a platform for communities and contributed to positive change,” Elzinga said.
Funded by the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands through PAX, the initiative supported peacebuilding, education, and community engagement across the country.
However, some beneficiaries have expressed concerns about the project’s closure. Fidensia Charles, the executive director of the Juba Massacre Women and Orphans, called for its continuation.
“These projects should not end, as they have created real opportunities for women and orphans. Many families are still benefiting from the positive impact,” Charles stated.
She noted that the programme had empowered citizens to speak openly about their needs. “It gave us the confidence to share our voices and be part of decision-making,” she added.
Charles emphasised the importance of maintaining the momentum. “If the support stops here, much of the progress made could be lost. People are asking for more time,” she concluded.
