Women economic empowerment project launched in Yambio
By Emmanuel Mandella
A three-year project aimed at transforming the economic and social lives of women and young girls was officially launched on Tuesday in Yambio, with stakeholders describing it as a timely investment in the livelihoods of the communities in Western Equatoria State.
The project, dubbed Women’s Initiative for a Good Society (WINGS), seeks to economically empower women and girls while positioning them as active agents of change in social, civic, and development processes.
The initiative is being implemented by New Vision for Sustainable Development (NVSD), a women-led, non-political and non-partisan organization, with financial support from Caritas Austria.
The launch ceremony, held at the Young Women Christian Association Conference Hall in Yambio, brought together senior state government officials, women leaders, civil society actors, UNMISS representatives, religious leaders, members of organized forces, and community stakeholders reflecting broad support for women-centered development.
At the heart of the WINGS project is economic empowerment seen by organizers as a critical step toward breaking cycles of poverty, dependency, and exclusion that disproportionately affect women and girls.
Gracing the ceremony, the Western Equatoria State Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Anigunde Cecilia Bii, underscored the importance of economic independence in restoring dignity and confidence among women.
“When women are economically empowered, families become stronger, communities become resilient, and society moves forward, this project is an opportunity for women and young girls to improve their livelihoods, strengthen their voices, and take their rightful place in leadership and decision-making,” Anigunde said.
She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working closely with NVSD and its partners to ensure the project delivers tangible results on the ground.
Beyond livelihoods, the WINGS project places a strong emphasis on young women and girls, recognizing them as future leaders whose potential has often been limited by social and economic barriers.
The project will be implemented in Yambio and Nzara counties, where women and girls will benefit from skills training, awareness campaigns, community outreach, and leadership development programs designed to equip them with tools to participate meaningfully in economic and civic life.
While speaking on behalf of the partners, the Yambio Operations Manager for Caritas Austria, Christopher Batu, called on young women and girls to seize the opportunity to engage not only in income-generating activities but also in humanitarian and community development work.
“Young women and girls are not just beneficiaries they are partners in development, we encourage them to organize, to lead, and to respond to the needs of their own communities,” Batu said.
On her part, Mrs. Victoria Yotoma Jacob, Executive Director of NVSD, said the WINGS project was designed to respond directly to the challenges women face in accessing economic opportunities and influencing decisions that affect their lives.
“WINGS is about strengthening women’s roles in both economic and social development, through capacity-building, advocacy, and public engagement, we want women and girls to become confident actors who can shape a more inclusive and equal society,” Victoria Yotoma said.
She added that NVSD will also conduct advocacy with government institutions to promote and enforce policies that support gender equality and women’s rights, ensuring that economic empowerment is backed by a supportive policy environment.
With its dual focus on economic empowerment and youth leadership, the WINGS project is expected to have a ripple effect across families and communities, improving household incomes, boosting self-reliance, and nurturing a new generation of women leaders.
