Navigating the Transitional Governance Period: An Analysis of Women's Political Participation in South Sudan, 2021–2026

This article examines the critical yet constrained political participation of women in South Sudan during the pivotal 2021–2026 transitional governance period. It addresses the central problem of how formal commitments to gender equity, enshrined in the Revitalised Peace Agreement, translate into substantive political influence for women amidst persistent structural and cultural barriers. The study is driven by the research question: what are the principal barriers to women’s substantive political participation in South Sudan’s transitional institutions, and how do these barriers interact to limit their impact? Employing a rigorous qualitative, multi-method approach, the analysis integrates policy document review with in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted between 2023 and 2025. Participants include women politicians, civil society leaders, and activists across Juba and two state capitals, selected via purposive and snowball sampling. The findings reveal a significant disparity between women’s descriptive representation in transitional bodies and their substantive influence on decision-making. Key barriers identified are entrenched patriarchal norms within political parties, a critical lack of financial resources for campaigning, and targeted security concerns that actively deter participation. The study argues that without deliberate interventions addressing these interconnected systemic issues, the transitional period risks consolidating a political landscape that perpetuates the marginalisation of women’s voices. Its contribution lies in providing an evidence-based, contextually grounded analysis essential for policymakers and advocacy groups. The article concludes that sustainable inclusion necessitates moving beyond quota systems to foster a holistic enabling environment, thereby ensuring South Sudanese women can meaningfully shape the nation’s fragile peace and future governance.