An Intervention Study on Climate Resilience, Gender, and Political Economy in South Sudan: A Multi-State Analysis (2021–2026)

This intervention study examines the critical nexus between climate vulnerability, gender inequality, and political-economic constraints within South Sudan’s energy sector. Focusing on Juba, Western Equatoria, Jonglei, and Eastern Equatoria states (2021–2026), it investigates how these intersecting factors undermine women’s wellbeing and community resilience. Employing a rigorous mixed-methods approach—including household surveys (n=420), gendered focus group discussions (n=24), and in-depth political economy analysis—the research evaluates a community-led deployment of solar-powered irrigation pumps and processing units. Findings demonstrate that while the technology significantly reduced women’s labour burdens and improved agricultural yields, its efficacy was heavily mediated by localised political economies. In areas with entrenched patronage networks, benefits were frequently captured by local elites, thereby marginalising intended female beneficiaries. Conversely, in communities where the intervention was integrated with inclusive governance dialogues, women reported substantially enhanced economic agency and social standing. The study concludes that climate resilience initiatives in fragile African states cannot rely on technical solutions alone. To be effective, they must be explicitly designed to navigate and transform underlying gendered power structures and political settlements. This underscores the imperative for integrative programming that embeds energy access within broader strategies for gender justice and inclusive governance to achieve sustainable climate adaptation.