Who we are
A women-led, non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian national organization based in South Sudan.
Stakeholders at the launch of the Women's Voice and Leadership programme in Bor County, Jonglei State.
Support for Women in Governance Organization (SWIGO) was established in 2016 and is dedicated to empowering women and girls to become active leaders, peacebuilders, and agents of positive social and economic transformation.
SWIGO was formed by women activists to reduce the gender gap at all levels of society, including leadership, and to champion the 35% affirmative action stipulated in the South Sudan constitution. We are legally registered with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission under the NGO Act 2016.
We implement both emergency response and long-term development programmes for vulnerable women and children, returnees and internally displaced people. Using a community-based, participatory approach that strengthens the efforts of both civil society and government, we currently engage more than 3,000 women and girls through five contact points in schools and our implementation areas in Central Equatoria and Jonglei States.
Our vision
A peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous South Sudan where women and girls are empowered, respected, and actively participate as leaders and agents of sustainable development, good governance, and social transformation.
Our mission
To empower women, girls, and vulnerable communities through leadership development, advocacy, peacebuilding, economic empowerment, education, and protection programmes that promote gender equality, human rights, and inclusive governance in South Sudan.
Our goal
To strengthen the social, economic, and political empowerment of women and girls in South Sudan by enhancing their participation in decision-making, promoting gender justice, advancing peace and security, and improving community resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Our approach: Women’s and Girls’ Rights Upfront
Women’s and Girls’ Rights Upfront seeks to raise women’s and girls’ well-being higher on the peace and security agenda, both by making it a priority for all actors and by ensuring women and girls take part in the peace processes that shape their future.
By prioritizing the needs of women and girls, we also begin to address the underlying factors behind violence against women and children: the lack of access to education, employment, healthcare, food, water, shelter and a healthy environment.
Our affiliations
National
- South Sudan NGO Forum
- Women-led organizations network (chaired by CARE International)
- RNSS Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Consortium
- Protection cluster: GBV and child protection sub-clusters
- WASH cluster and Food Security and Livelihoods cluster
- Education cluster
- UNMISS GBV cluster
- Central Equatoria Civil Society Organizations
- CEPIC consortium
- Humanitarian Partnership Platform (CARE International)
- Women-led organizational pool
- Security Sector Reform Civil Society Network
Regional
- KARAMA regional network, Arab region and South Sudan
- Charter 4 Change (C4C)
- Center for Women's Global Leadership, United States
- COCAFEM/GL, Great Lakes region
National strategic partners
- Ministry of Peacebuilding
- Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare
- National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC)
- National Elections Commission (NEC)
- National Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Explore our work
From leadership training and civic education to GBV response and climate action, see how we work across South Sudan.