Paris Peace Forum: Economic empowerment as a shield for women in South Sudan

The Paris Peace Forum highlighted the work of the South Sudanese organization I-WIN, which focuses on empowering women in conflict-affected regions. Executive Director Immaculate Aciro emphasized that financial independence is vital to protecting women from domestic violence, particularly in the Twic County area. Supported by the UN, the initiative established "resilience centers" providing legal aid, psychosocial support, and vocational training, such as pottery making, to help women generate income. Beyond assisting over 10,000 people, the organization has integrated environmental efforts, including planting 10,000 trees in primary schools. The project seeks to move women away from financial dependency, which remains a significant source of vulnerability in unstable environments.