This policy analysis examines the structural and socio-cultural barriers constraining women’s political participation in South Sudan during the critical implementation phase of the Revitalised Peace Agreement (2021–2026). It argues that despite constitutional quotas and rhetorical commitments, the translation of formal provisions into substantive representation remains profoundly inadequate. Employing a qualitative desk-based methodology, the study conducts a rigorous review of national policy frameworks, institutional reports, and civil society assessments from the period. This evidence is analysed through an African feminist lens that centres local women’s lived experiences. The findings identify three interconnected, systemic barriers: the resilience of patriarchal customary norms, the chronic underfunding of gender mechanisms, and pervasive insecurity which disproportionately curtails women’s civic engagement. Crucially, the analysis demonstrates that the prevailing policy focus on numerical presence in legislatures overlooks the more foundational need to empower women within local governance and peacebuilding processes. The significance of this study lies in its timely, evidence-based critique of the implementation gap, offering an African-centred perspective essential for re-framing the discourse from mere inclusion to transformative participation. It concludes with implications for policymakers, urging a strategic shift towards bolstering community-level political agency and ensuring the 35% quota is realised in all appointed and elected bodies to foster a more inclusive and sustainable political future.