Young women leaders, political party representatives, electoral stakeholders and government officials pose for a group photo during a SIHA-organized workshop on inclusive political participation in Juba, Thursday, July 16, 2026 – Credit: Madrama James/Eye Radio
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network) has called on political parties and electoral stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for young women and youth to participate in leadership and decision-making, warning that many continue to face barriers that limit their role in the country’s political processes.
SIHA Network, a non-partisan organization based in Juba, on Thursday convened a workshop bringing together political parties, the Electoral Commission and other key stakeholders to strengthen youth and women’s participation in politics and electoral processes.
The workshop attracted Young Women Leaders (YWLs), youth representatives, delegates from political parties, electoral stakeholders, government officials and representatives of partner organizations.
According to SIHA, the forum was organized to enhance understanding of political processes and electoral systems among young people, particularly young women, while promoting their active participation in political leadership and decision-making.
Speaking at the event, SIHA Country Coordinator Jackline Bage Pezi said many young women continue to face challenges, including limited access to information, restricted opportunities for political participation and inadequate representation in decision-making structures.
Pezi challenged political parties to move beyond engaging young women solely as campaign mobilizers and instead support them to contest leadership positions and hold influential roles within political organizations.
“During the election process, how are you ensuring that young people, especially young women, are supported to participate? We do not want them to only serve as mobilizers during campaigns. We want them to stand for election and be elected into positions within the different political parties,” she said.
“We have to create opportunities for young women. This should not simply be a requirement of political parties, but an intentional and genuine effort. We want young women to be trusted with responsibilities, supported through mentorship and empowered to grow into leaders who can bring positive change to this country.”
For his part, James Francis Kutiyote, Undersecretary in the National Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, urged registered political parties to take the participation of women and youth more seriously and provide them with meaningful opportunities to contribute to governance.
He noted that some political parties continue to underestimate the role of young people and women in political processes, despite their importance to democratic development.
“I encourage political parties to move beyond treating the involvement of women and young people as a formality. I have observed that many political parties take youth participation lightly and, in some cases, also fail to fully recognize the contribution of women,” Kutiyote said.
“I urge all political parties represented here today to take women’s participation seriously and also give greater attention to youth participation. While women are guaranteed a 35 per cent quota in legislative bodies, young people also deserve meaningful representation and opportunities to contribute to national development.”
The workshop further sought to encourage political actors and stakeholders to commit to advancing inclusive political participation and strengthening democratic engagement among young people and women.
SIHA said empowering youth and young women leaders remains essential to building stronger democratic institutions and ensuring broader representation in governance and public affairs.
