Civil society thrives in Ombasi

A new network supported by MS Sudan has inspired women and youth in Ombasi in Southern Sudan to organise themselves.

By Janne Bruvoll, Information Officer, MS Sudan

23. April 2009

“Our goal is to create unity and network for women in Ombasi,” Loice Parata James says. She is the chairlady of the new women's group in Ombasi, a village close to the Congolese border in Yei River County in Southern Sudan.

The new women's group is part of Gire Farmers’ Development Association (GFDA) which used to be an organisation for farmers. After the support from MS Sudan, the organisation has now grown into an umbrella organisation for smaller groups in the area on the assumption that united they will be stronger. GFDA and the association's subgroups organise dialogue meetings and other activities that are intended to improve the lives of the people of Ombasi.

GFDA includes both a resource centre with a library and a puppetry and forum theatre group but more groups are emerging and the women are not the only ones who have been inspired by GFDA's activities. Ombasi now also has an active students' association that are organising a football tournament which focuses on the coming elections in Sudan.

Women in control

“We are very proud of what we have done because it has brought dynamic to our community. When we call for dialogue meetings, people of all ages and of all types attend,” says Field Officer Sebastian Saba Michael.

He explains that around 200 people attended the first dialogue meeting in December 2008 but the number is growing and the latest meeting was moved to the place in front of the church because more than 400 people showed up.

Loice Parata James explains that the women's group meets twice a month and is planning a number of meetings for women focusing on women representation in politics, gender based violence and democratic elections.

“We want to make the women aware of their rights and in that way make them able to control their own lives,” she says.