The COVID‑19 pandemic slowed down the implementation of UNDP programme activities, requiring an adaptive approach and fast‑tracking of the use of resources. For example, the COVID‑19 pandemic resulted in the suspension of all training programmes and the closure of vocational training centres, as per government directive, and there were delays in recruitment for government technical positions. Another factor was the slow‑down of government processes, including the formulation of the 2020‑2021 budget. The NDS could not be reviewed in 2020.
2.4 Cross‑cutting programme themes I. Gender equality and women’s empowerment Finding 18. The 2018 Revitalized Agreement provided new opportunities to increase women’s participation in public institutions and politics. But wider progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment remained hindered by social and economic and security barriers. Components of UNDP’s country‑level strategies for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment were implemented with some positive results. Partnerships with other agencies are essential for enhancing UNDP’s contribution to women’s security and development. As South Sudan completes its first decade of independence, the obstacles to gender equality and women’s empowerment and safety continue. The constraints to women’s security and political and economic participation are huge. There is little doubt, too, that the socio‑economic impacts of COVID‑19 during 2020‑2021 affected women disproportionately.42 Conflicting priorities have also hindered efforts to improve women’s livelihoods and security. South Sudan needed a two‑pronged strategy of addressing immediate needs and facilitating longer‑term solutions. While supporting both, UNDP programmes were more effective in providing short‑term initiatives. The country office gender equality strategies (2016‑2017 and 2019‑2021) guided UNDP’s programmes to address structural barriers to women’s economic empowerment, gender‑based violence and participation in leadership and decision‑making. The strategies also considered how gender can be addressed in conflict prevention, preparedness and recovery, and the importance of women’s representation in peace processes. UNDP invested in a staff position to support the implementation of the strategy. UNDP had some tangible outputs providing a basis for further engagement. UNDP ensured women’s representation and participation from all 32 states of South Sudan in the development of the Draft Land Policy, which is at the Land Committee in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly. This process also has significance for gender‑responsive policies and legislations. Gender mainstreaming in initiatives such as training for the Special Protection Unit within the South Sudan National Police Service and community policing were specifically designed to address SGBV and human rights violations. Such efforts contributed to changing perceptions about their responsibilities and transforming their role from authority holders to service providers and increasing the trust of security institutions. UNDP’s contribution in reducing the backlog of court cases of gender‑based violence and children in the conflict was important in addressing women’s rights issues and gender‑based violence in Western Equatoria. Mainstreaming gender in national planning and budgeting was also a significant step. For example, the State Ministry of Finance and Planning, planning departments and members of the public accounts and financial committees of State Legislative Assemblies were trained in gender mainstreaming in the budget. Such training is important, although translating this into sustained commitment in state government budget practices will require more consistent efforts.
42
The Sudd Institute, ‘The Economic Impacts of COVID‑19 Pandemic in South Sudan: An Update’, Policy Brief, January 2021, pp. 1, 9 and 14.
Chapter 2. findings
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