IGAD Strengthens Capacity of Land Actors on Gender-Responsive Land Governance in South Sudan

August 28, 2026 (Torit, South Sudan): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with the Government of South Sudan, has successfully concluded a three-day capacity-building workshop on gender-responsive land governance in Eastern Equatoria State under the Building Women’s Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace Project (BWERSP).

The training brought together 41 participants (28 men and 13 women), including gender focal persons from national and state sector ministries, members of the Inter-Ministerial Working Group, state land administration officials, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders engaged in land governance and the promotion of women’s land rights.

The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in mainstreaming gender within land governance systems and promote the protection of women’s land rights through inclusive and gender-responsive policies, laws and practices.

Opening the workshop, Mr. Thomas Kotien, Acting Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, underscored the importance of equipping land actors with the knowledge and tools to address barriers that limit women’s access to land. He highlighted challenges including discriminatory customary practices, inadequate land documentation and the exclusion of women from decision-making processes, calling for action to ensure that “no woman is left behind.”

Speaking during the opening session, on behalf of the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Ms. Joselyn Bigirwa, BWERSP Project Coordinator, highlighted IGAD’s regional efforts to advance women’s land rights and strengthen land governance systems. She emphasised the critical role of trained land actors in promoting gender-responsive land governance and supporting women’s economic empowerment and sustainable peace.

While South Sudan’s legal and policy frameworks provide for equality and non-discrimination, challenges related to implementation, institutional capacity, enforcement mechanisms and customary practices continue to affect women’s ability to fully exercise their land rights. The training therefore focused on strengthening the capacity of key actors to bridge the gap between policy and practice and integrate gender considerations across land governance institutions and processes.

Participants explored the links between land governance, gender equality, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Discussions examined how customary norms and practices can restrict women’s access to land, ownership and inheritance, as well as their participation in land allocation, management and dispute resolution. These challenges can be further compounded by conflict, displacement and population movements, which increase pressure on land and natural resources.

Through practical exercises, participants applied gender-responsive approaches to land administration and land-use planning, budgeting, data and accountability, while identifying institutional actions that can strengthen women’s participation and access to land.

A Training-of-Trainers (ToT) approach also equipped participants to serve as national and state-level resource persons who can transfer knowledge within their institutions and communities and support future capacity-building and gender mainstreaming initiatives. The training is expected to contribute to stronger institutional capacity, improved stakeholder collaboration and sustained action on women’s land rights.

Strengthening women’s access to land and natural resources goes beyond securing land rights. It creates opportunities for economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods while contributing to social cohesion, resilient communities and lasting peace.

Advancing women’s land rights requires collective action. IGAD calls upon governments, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and development partners to champion gender-responsive land governance and support initiatives that enable women to access land, economic opportunities and decision-making platforms on an equal basis.

Through stronger institutions, inclusive partnerships and sustained action, these efforts can contribute to more equitable, resilient and peaceful communities in South Sudan and across the IGAD region.