Navigating Peace and Participation: A Mixed Methods Study of Women's Agency in Post-Conflict South Sudan (2021–2026)

This mixed-methods study investigates the manifestations and efficacy of women's political agency in post-conflict South Sudan between 2021 and 2026. It addresses a critical gap in understanding how women navigate a restrictive socio-political landscape to influence peacebuilding and governance, despite mandated inclusion under the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement. Employing a sequential explanatory design, the research began with a survey of 350 women across three states, followed by in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 45 key informants, including women leaders, activists, and policymakers. Quantitative data identified predominant patterns of participation, whilst qualitative narratives elucidated lived experiences and strategic manoeuvres. The findings demonstrate that women's agency is exercised primarily through informal networks, grassroots mobilisation, and strategic advocacy, often circumventing formal, male-dominated institutions. A key contradiction is revealed between official rhetoric supporting inclusion and its practical implementation, which is undermined by entrenched patriarchal norms and resource constraints. The study contends that recognising and strengthening these informal avenues is paramount for achieving gender-inclusive peace. Its significance lies in centring South Sudanese women's own strategies, challenging externally imposed frameworks, and providing evidence-based recommendations for translating policy commitments into substantive participation.