South Sudan Women's Empowerment Network, Inc. (SSWEN)
Due to the (1983-2005) 22-year-war in South Sudan, and the current genocide occurring in Darfur (2003-present), Sudan has consistently produced the world’s highest number of refugees. The U.S. has accepted about 25,000 Southern Sudanese refugees. South Sudanese women in the diaspora face significant challenges such as few educational and training opportunities due to inadequate information and lack of English language skills, family and/or job responsibilities, and physical and emotional problems due to the war and/or the stress of living in a new country.

Background of the Women’s Situation in South Sudan:
The situation of women in south Sudan is a grievous scenario. The following are just some of the forms of violence and discrimination that Southern Sudanese women face:
1) Repressive traditions and social laws/customs
2) Restricted civil and political rights and activism
3) Inadequate education, training and health care
4) Economic dependency
5) Various forms of trauma from the prolonged war, violence, destitution and displacement
6) Vulnerability to health hazards such as HIV/AIDS and STDs due to lack of proper access to health and maternity care.

More than 65% of the Sudanese population is women, and yet women have been intellectually, economically, and politically marginalized throughout the country. Women can play a positive role in promoting peace and security in their communities, but there is an over-whelming need for education and skills training. Although the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in January 2005 between North and South Sudan requires that women comprise 25% of the Government of South Sudan, women are not yet adequately represented in the government. In order to ensure peace in Sudan, women must be involved at local and, when possible, at national levels. One way of contributing to this process is to encourage Sudanese women in Sudan and in the diaspora to utilize economic, educational, and gender training programs.

In June 2005, Lilian Riziq, a woman from Wau, South Sudan who has been living in Phoenix, Arizona since 1999, decided to do something about the situation for Southern Sudanese women. She started an online forum to begin discussing the issues. At the same time, she traveled around the United States to speak with Southern Sudanese women about their challenges. By September 2005, there were dozens of members in the on-line forum and a lot of excitement for the emerging organization. In December 2005, then-Board members organized a national SSWEN conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Approximately 200 men and women from 15 states as well as Canada, and Great Britain attended the first SSWEN conference. In June 2006, SSWEN received 501(c)3 nonprofit organization status in Phoenix. SSWEN is currently in the process of solidifying their mission, vision, bylaws, and structure. Moreover, there is widespread interest in establishing at least seven different cities of the United States and two of the branch offices have already held their own fundraising events (please see examples of the fundraising event flyers in the back of this manual).

SSWEN is a young, very vibrant, and growing organization. SSWEN is currently run entirely by dedicated volunteers, but we hope that in the future we will have a staff as well. All of the Board members have experience working in the nonprofit/ nongovernmental sector in the U.S. and/or in other countries. One of the current challenges for the organization is the lack of a geographical base or office. Board members live in all four time zones of the United States and usually meet by teleconference. However, as the organization continues to grow, we hope to establish a national office as well as branch offices and we are looking for more people to help us in this exciting and very important endeavor.