Empowering Women, Advancing Peace
The Women Development Group is a South Sudanese national NGO advancing food security, peacebuilding, gender equality, and inclusive governance across Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap States.
Our Mission
“WDG is committed to supporting, promoting, and strengthening food security and economic empowerment, as well as peacebuilding and trauma healing, gender equality and human rights, and governance. Our work focuses on women's participation, decision-making, leadership, and capacity building for staff, communities, and other stakeholders, to foster economic and social development and advance social justice.”
Our Vision
A peaceful and inclusive South Sudan where women, girls, youth, and vulnerable groups are empowered, protected, and participate in economic and social development and the advancement of social justice.
Our Approach
WDG works alongside communities, government, international NGOs, and UN agencies to design and deliver programs that respond to real local needs. Rooted in more than two decades of presence in Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap States, our approach centers women's participation, decision-making, and leadership, ensuring interventions are community-owned, gender-responsive, and built to last.
What We Do
Five Thematic Areas of Impact
Food Security and Economic Empowerment
We strengthen food security and household incomes through farmer training, agricultural inputs, extension services, market linkages, value addition, and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).
Peacebuilding and Trauma Healing
We restore community cohesion through dialogue, trauma-informed counselling, referral, cultural initiatives, and community exchange, drawing on international, regional, and national peacebuilding frameworks.
Gender Equality and Human Rights
We advance gender equality and human rights through training, mentorship, advocacy, gender mainstreaming, and GBV prevention, monitoring, and referral, guided by recognized human-rights frameworks.
Governance, Participation and Leadership
We support women's and youth participation in decision-making and leadership through training, mentorship, coaching, advocacy, community engagement, and women profiling.
Capacity Strengthening for Staff, Community and Stakeholders
We build the capacities of staff, communities, and stakeholders through needs assessment, on-the-job and community training, mentorship, exchange visits, and research linkages with academic institutions.
Programs & Achievements
Impact Delivered in the Field
GBV Prevention & Response
Over 150,000 people reached through GBV prevention and response, including referral pathways and psychosocial support, supported by more than 30 Protection Information Desks across Wau, Jur River, Raja, Bazia, Bagari, and Basilia.
Village Savings & Loans
Over 20,000 people reached through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) across Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap States, expanding women’s access to credit, savings, and enterprise.
Food Security & Livelihoods
Over 10,000 people reached since 2001 through food security and livelihoods work in Bagari, Basilia, and Bazia/Kpaile Payams, and in Tonj North, Awul, Farak Sika, and Kayango Payams.
Women Lead & Women Rights Forums
WDG leads the Women Lead and Women Rights Forums, a network of more than 35 organizations supported by Care International in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
Ending Early Marriage
Over 500 students and their parents reached with advocacy against early marriage and harmful practices at Hai Salam Primary School and Wau A Girls Primary School.
In Partnership with Care International
As lead convener of the Women Lead and Women Rights Forums, WDG aligns partner organizations across Western Bahr el Ghazal State, strengthening coordination and amplifying women's voices in local decision-making.
From the Field
WDG in Action
Documenting more than two decades of WDG's community programs across Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap States
Partners & Collaborators
Working with leading international and local organizations to amplify our community impact.
Stand With Women
Partner with us to empower women and build peace.
Whether you are a community member in Western Bahr el Ghazal, a partner organization, a donor, or a supporter, there is a place for you in WDG's mission.