Where Are the Women? The Gender Gap in South Sudan’s Political Leadership

In South Sudan, a young nation born from the struggles of war and sacrifice, the faces of leadership remain strikingly familiar, mostly male.

Despite the resilience, wisdom, and sacrifice of women during the liberation struggle and in building communities, their voices remain largely absent in the nation’s passages of power. The question that continues to echo in whispers and in shouts alike is: Where are the women?

Today, women make up over half of South Sudan’s population, yet they remain grossly underrepresented in government and senior leadership roles. From ministries to parliament, from governorships to key decision-making boards, the gender gap is not just visible, it is obvious. While the Revitalized Peace Agreement set a 35% quota for women’s participation, the reality is that implementation has been uneven, often treated as a political afterthought rather than a national priority.

This absence is not only political, but also spiritual, social, economic, and cultural. A nation that silences the voices of women silences half its wisdom. The mothers, daughters, and sisters who participated in the liberation who kept families alive in refugee camps, who carried water and firewood on their heads while carrying children on their backs, who taught lessons under trees and prayed for peace in the darkest nights, cannot be reduced to the margins when decisions about the future are being made.

Mangok Mangok Mayen, a respected community leader and scholar, reflects with concern: “Women have been the backbone of South Sudanese society for decades. In war, they kept our communities alive. In peace, they nurture growth. Yet in politics, they are treated as spectators. This is a contradiction that cannot continue if our nation is to truly stand on two feet.”

Why does the gap remain so wide? Part of the answer lies in cultural traditions that have long confined women to the private sphere while men dominate the public. Patriarchal structures remain deeply rooted, with politics often perceived as a man’s domain. Many women who dare to enter political spaces face intimidation, harassment, and character attacks. Economically, women also lack access to the financial resources and networks that are crucial for political campaigns. Socially, early marriage, limited access to education, and persistent gender-based violence further weaken the foundation upon which women could rise. Spiritually, a failure to recognize that men and women are equally called to lead diminishes the moral vision of the nation.

Mary Gune Body, a women and children’s advocate, puts it frankly: “We cannot claim to build a just South Sudan while leaving women outside the decision-making table. Women’s exclusion is not just about fairness; it is about survival. When women lead, communities thrive. When they are absent, policies miss the realities of half the population.”

The cost of excluding women is high. Economically, studies worldwide show that countries with higher female participation in leadership enjoy stronger growth and stability. Politically, women leaders often bring greater accountability, peacebuilding approaches, and attention to social needs such as education and healthcare. Socially, their presence challenges harmful norms and opens doors for the next generation of girls. Spiritually, empowering women affirms a truth interlaced into creation itself that both men and women carry the image of God and the authority to lead.

The struggle is not without resistance. Across South Sudan, women are rising in activism, faith, and courage. Adut Garang Deng Nyang, an activist and a woman of faith, draws strength from scripture: “God created both male and female to lead, to steward, to build. When women are pushed aside, the nation denies God’s design. Our girls deserve to see women ministers, women governors, and women presidents, so that they know their dreams are not too high.”

But what can be done to close this painful gender gap? First, the government must move beyond rhetoric to implementation. The 35% quota for women must be treated as a minimum, not a ceiling. Transparent mechanisms for appointments should be enforced, with penalties for those who fail to comply. Political parties must be required to nominate women in winnable positions, not just as token candidates.

Second, the people themselves must embrace change. Communities must support women leaders, challenge stereotypes, and stop treating politics as a male-only field. Traditional leaders and faith leaders have a powerful role to play in affirming women’s leadership as compatible with both culture and spirituality.

Third, investment in women’s education, economic empowerment, and leadership training must be prioritized. Girls must stay in school, women must have access to resources for campaigning, and mentorship networks must be built to guide and sustain those who dare to enter political life.

Finally, the international community and civil society organizations must continue to increase women’s voices, not by speaking for them but by creating spaces where their leadership is nurtured and visible.

South Sudan cannot afford to keep its women in the shadows. The dream of a peaceful, just, and prosperous nation demands the participation of all its citizens, men and women alike. The future will not be built by one gender alone.

As Mangok Mangok Mayen reminds us: “A bird cannot fly with one wing. South Sudan is trying to fly with only men in leadership. Until women are fully included, this nation will keep stumbling.”

The time for excuses has passed. The time for token gestures has expired. South Sudan must rise on both feet, spread both wings, and let both voices, male and female shape its destiny. Women are not asking for charity. They are demanding justice.

And justice, as the prophets remind us, is what makes a nation great.

Short biography:

Suzan Peter Mabuong is a weekly columnist with ‘The City Review’ on social impact. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University. Having lived in Canada and the United States for more than two decades before returning to South Sudan, Suzan brings a unique perspective that goes beyond the surface to explore the real stories shaping the nation. Suzan stands firm on the promises of God’s protection: “The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life” (Psalm 121:7). Contact Suzan at: beyondtheheadlines.ssd@gmail.com