Building South Sudan’s Future with Citizens at the Center of the Constitution-Making Process

In Upper Nile State, citizens are entering a new era of civic participation and democratic responsibility. Through the Support to a People Driven and Gender Responsive Permanent Constitution-Making Process in South Sudan project, communities in Malakal and surrounding areas are gaining access to vital information, tools, and platforms to meaningfully contribute to the country’s permanent constitution making process.

This transformation is driven by a people-focused approach that prioritizes civic education, inclusion, and access to justice. Supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and implemented by UNESCO, UNDP and UN Women in partnership with national actors, the initiative is ensuring that previously marginalized voices can contribute to shaping the nation's future.

“We didn’t know how important the constitution was to our daily lives until we heard it from the workshop,” said Nyawang Nhial Dak, an Advisor at the Women Union in Malakal.

Through a series of civic education workshops, participants have learned about the Constitution-Making Process and how they can actively engage in its implementation. For many, this was their first time learning about constitutional rights, gender equality, and the legal foundations of governance.

“Before, we didn’t know anything. But after the training, we now have a clue and can participate in discussions on the constitution,” said a youth representative.
“Participants received clear information on how communities can take part in the constitution review process,” added Thomas Thon Deng, Chairperson of Padang community.

To promote inclusivity, the trainings brought together participants from across communities, including youth, women, men, and persons with disabilities. Sign language interpretation was provided to ensure inclusive participation for people with hearing impairments.

“The training considered our diversity,” said a representative of persons with disabilities. “We hope the process remains inclusive and that the final constitution reflects the rights of persons with disabilities, widows, and others with special needs.”

The reach of the training extended beyond the sessions themselves. Community leaders became key messengers, sharing what they learned and encouraging broader participation across Malakal and neighboring areas.

“After the training, we shared the information so that everyone is on the same page. This has helped accelerate understanding of the constitution-making process,” said Champiny Dieu Tot, the former Chairperson of the Nuer community in Malakal.

Citizens who were once uninformed are now engaged and motivated to take part in shaping South Sudan’s future.

The project also placed strong emphasis on women’s rights and leadership, with many participants stating that this was the first time they learned about women’s constitutional rights.

“We learned that women have the right to speak and be heard. Now we must ensure those rights are clearly written into the final constitution,” said Nyawang Nhial Dak, an Advisor with the Women Union in Malakal.

The initiative is also driving increased youth participation in civic leadership and constitutional discussions.

“As a result of the training and awareness-raising, we are seeing more youth actively involved in constitutional discussions and community leadership,” said Makong Deng Chan, a member of youth union.

Hon. Nyanuer William Nyuon, Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Acting Minister of Peacebuilding, and Acting Governor of Upper Nile State, praised the project’s impact and called for its expansion.

“PBF-supported projects are making impact, even amidst ongoing challenges. There is a need to extend these efforts to other counties and integrate vocational training and women’s empowerment components. This would keep youth engaged and contribute to nation-building.”

The project trained and deployed 25 journalists who were embedded within 17 state ministries. This strategic placement enhanced the flow of official information, ensuring that constitutional content was communicated accurately and ethically to the public. It also strengthened media capacity, improved message clarity, and supported the development of an informed citizenry capable of meaningfully engaging in national dialogues.

This work in Malakal is part of a broader national initiative to ensure South Sudan’s constitution-making process is inclusive, gender-responsive, and participatory.  By building civic awareness and empowering both institutions and citizens, the project is laying a solid foundation for peace, stability, and democratic governance.

With continued support from the United Nations and strong collaboration at the community level, South Sudan is making important strides toward adopting a constitution that truly reflects the voices and aspirations of its people.