South Sudan Women’s Empowerment Network (SSWEN)

The South Sudan Women’s Empowerment Network (SSWEN) was founded by Lilian Riziq. Lilian lived in Sudan for most of the most recent Sudan Civil War which began in 1984 and ended in 2005. In 1996, Lilian fled Sudan and she is now living in Phoenix, Arizona in the United States where she received her degree as a Registered Nurse (R.N.) and is working toward her Masters degree in Public Health.

Lilian founded SSWEN in response to the issues she faced as a woman living in Sudan and to the issues faced today by women who still reside in Sudan. The situation in South Sudan has been and is a grievous one for women. Sudanese women are subjected to domestic violence, discrimination and abuse. They are victims of repressive traditions and social laws and customs, and are restricted in their civil and political rights. They receive inadequate education, training and health and maternity care and, as a result, most are trapped in a cycle of economic dependence. As victims of prolonged war and its related trauma, violence, destitution and displacement, Sudanese women are vulnerable to health hazards such as HIV/AIDS and to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Together with five Southern Sudanese women and one man, Lilian Riziq founded SSWEN in 2005, and began her mission to help the women who still live in her devastated homeland. SSWEN began as an online forum where Sudanese women could discuss the issues they faced and share ideas. The forum grew quickly and it now includes over 500 members.