Author: Daniel Arop

“I am grateful to NEPWU for standing with me during one of the most difficult moments of my life and helping me access the support I needed.”

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a significant challenge affecting the health, safety, dignity, and well-being of women and girls in South Sudan. Beyond physical injuries, survivors often experience emotional distress, fear, trauma, isolation, and uncertainty about where to seek assistance.

Recognizing the importance of addressing these challenges, the National Empowerment of Positive Women United (NEPWU), through its Key and Vulnerable Populations (KVP) project supported by the Global Fund, has integrated psychosocial support and GBV referral services into its programming.

In Yei, a 34 year old Keji Doreen experienced a difficult situation that left her emotionally distressed and in need have support. During this challenging period, she encountered a NEPWU peer educators during the outreach programme. Keji Narrated how she was assaulted on several occasion by her husband who even threatened to killed her

Keji underscored that her husband who became alcoholic beat her on three different occasion to medical level and even injured her with Panga

The peer Educator who provided her with Psychological First Aid (PFA), offered a safe and supportive environment where she could express her concerns, feel listened to, and receive initial emotional support without judgment.

Understanding that psychosocial support alone would not address all her needs, the peer educator facilitated her referral to specialized GBV service providers for further management and appropriate assistance. Through this referral, she was connected to partners responsible for providing GBV services, enabling her to access the support she needed.

The woman expressed her appreciation to NEPWU for the timely intervention, emotional support, and assistance in connecting her to appropriate services. For her, the intervention was more than a referral; it was an opportunity to feel supported, regain hope, and understand that she was not alone in facing her situation.

Her experience demonstrates the importance of integrating GBV prevention and response within HIV and KVP programming. It also highlights the critical role played by community-based peer educators, who are often among the first points of contact for vulnerable women and girls. By providing immediate psychosocial support and facilitating safe referrals, NEPWU helps bridge the gap between survivors and specialized GBV services.

A Growing Commitment to Supporting Women and Girls

Her experience is part of NEPWU’s broader commitment to ensuring that vulnerable women and girls receive timely and appropriate support. During this year alone, as of 12th November 2026, NEPWU has provided Psychological First Aid and facilitated referrals for 311 women requiring GBV management services after experiencing sexual and Gender based Violence.

Through its partnership with UNDP Funding from the Global Fund and collaboration with specialized GBV service providers, NEPWU continues to strengthen the integration of HIV services, psychosocial support, and GBV response mechanisms.

Every referral represents a woman whose needs have been recognized, whose voice has been heard, and who has been connected to services that can support her recovery and dignity.

For NEPWU, supporting women goes beyond providing HIV prevention services. It means standing with women in their moments of vulnerability, restoring hope, protecting dignity, and ensuring that no woman is left without support.

Sometimes, the difference between despair and hope begins with a simple conversation. For Kiden Rose, a young woman whose life was turned upside down by the 2016 conflict in South Sudan, that conversation came during a community outreach activity in Yei. Having lost her parents, struggled to survive and battled recurring illnesses, Kiden was searching for a way to make it through each day. She never imagined that meeting a peer educator would become a turning point in her life, helping her confront her fears about HIV, find the courage to begin treatment and rediscover hope for the future.

When Kiden lost her parents during the 2016 conflict, her world changed dramatically. Without parental support and with limited means of survival, meeting her basic needs became increasingly difficult. Faced with hunger, insecurity and the absence of a reliable source of income, she turned to sex work to support herself.

For some time, she managed to survive. But about a year later, her health began to deteriorate. Kiden started falling sick frequently. She sought treatment several times for malaria, typhoid and ulcers, but even after receiving treatment, the illnesses kept returning.

One day, during an outreach activity, Kiden met a peer educator supported through the Global Fund HIV prevention programme. The peer educator spoke with her, listened to her concerns and encouraged her to take an HIV test not because of an assumption about her status, but to help her know her status and make informed decisions about her health.

She became curious but also frightened. “What if I am HIV positive? Will I experience the same stigma and discrimination that many people living with HIV face here in Yei?” she wondered.

Despite her fear, Kiden summoned the courage to get tested during the outreach. The test result came HIV Positive.

For her, the news felt devastating. She lost hope and struggled emotionally to accept what she had just learned. At her lowest point, she even contemplated taking her own life.

The peer educators continued to visit and communicate with her, providing counselling, emotional support and treatment-adherence counselling. Importantly, some of the peer educators supporting Kiden were themselves living positively with HIV. They shared their own experiences and showed her through their lives that an HIV-positive diagnosis does not mean the end of life.

They encouraged her to begin treatment, adhere to her medication and take care of her health.

Kiden realized that the people standing beside her were also living with HIV and they were healthy, active and living normal lives. They worked, supported others, had hopes and dreams, and were not defined by their HIV status.

Her eyes opened to a different perspective about HIV and her future. She began to understand that knowing her status was not a death sentence; rather, it was an opportunity to take control of her health.

Kiden started adhering to her medication and has continued with treatment to date.

Today, her story represents more than an individual HIV treatment success. It demonstrates what can happen when HIV prevention, testing, treatment, counselling, peer support and stigma reduction are brought together as a comprehensive package for Key Populations.

Kiden’s experience demonstrates that reaching Key Populations with HIV services is not simply about distributing condoms or conducting HIV tests. A truly comprehensive HIV prevention package must address the whole person their health, emotional wellbeing, knowledge, dignity and ability to access continued care.

Kiden may not have sought HIV testing on her own because of fear, stigma or lack of information. The outreach programme created an opportunity for her to access testing and counselling in a setting closer to her community. The peer educator did more than encourage Kaden to test. The continued relationship provided trust, counselling and follow-up. For many Key Populations, peer educators are people they can speak to without fear of judgment.

The National Empowerment of Positive Women United (NEPWU) has long stood at the forefront of the national HIV response, championing the rights of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations. Building on a strong legacy of implementing community-based HIV prevention programs as a Sub-Sub Recipient (SSR) from 2016 to 2024, NEPWU has transitioned into a Sub-Recipient (SR) role under Grant Cycle 7, supported by UNDP for the period spanning January 1^st 2025 to December 31, 2026.

This milestone encompasses expanded responsibilities, including the mentorship of the South Sudan Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (SSNeP+) and the takeover of former PEPFAR Key Population (KP) sites.

Conducted in September 2026, The training was part of NEPWU’s 2026 programme implementation under the Global Fund’s Grant Cycle 7, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aligned with NEPWU’s expanded responsibility as a Sub-Recipient (SR), including supporting community-level HIV prevention activities and strengthening coordination with the South Sudan Network of People Living with HIV (SSNeP+).

The training equipped the 16 coordinators with practical knowledge and skills in leadership, organizational management, communication, advocacy, resource mobilization, compliance, and donor reporting. Participants were also equipped with knowledge of organizational codes of conduct, conflict resolution, conflict of interest, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and safety and security during outreach activities.

These competencies are essential for ensuring accountable leadership, responsible use of project resources, and effective delivery of services to female sex workers and other vulnerable communities.

The training has positively contributed to strengthening the capacity of state coordinators to plan, coordinate, supervise, and report on programme activities more effectively. Improved leadership and communication skills support better collaboration with peer educators, community mobilisers, health facilities, government institutions, and other implementing partners. Greater understanding of compliance requirements also promotes professionalism, accountability, ethical conduct, and safer outreach activities, helping to build trust among the communities served.

Beyond individual capacity development, the training contributes directly to improved project implementation. Better-equipped coordinators are more capable of supporting peer educators and community mobilisers, monitoring outreach activities, maintaining accurate records, preparing quality donor reports, and identifying implementation gaps for timely action.

Stronger documentation and reporting also improve the availability of reliable programme information for decision-making, accountability to donors, and demonstrating results. Furthermore, enhanced advocacy and resource mobilization skills can help coordinators build stronger state-level partnerships and identify opportunities to sustain community HIV prevention interventions.

Through this initiative, NEPWU continues to advance local ownership and strengthen the role of national civil society organizations in South Sudan’s HIV response. By investing in the leadership and technical capacity of its state coordinators, the organization is better positioned to deliver inclusive, accountable, and community-responsive services, reduce stigma and discrimination, and contribute to the national and global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Some people serve because it is their job. Others serve because they believe that no life should be left behind. Clara Keji belongs to the latter.

For more than a decade, Clara has stood on the frontlines of the HIV response, dedicating her time, courage and compassion to serving key populations (KPs), particularly female sex workers (FSWs), in Yei. Her journey is more than a story of professional commitment

it is a story of purpose, resilience and a determination to bridge the gap between vulnerable communities and the life-saving health services available to them.

Clara began her journey as a peer educator in 2014, working with other partners in Yei. In 2022, she joined the National Empowerment of Positive Women United (NEPWU), where she continued and strengthened her commitment to reaching communities that often face stigma, discrimination and barriers to HIV services.

For Clara, this work is deeply personal. She recalls witnessing some key populations die from HIV-related complications despite the availability of life-saving treatment and preventive services. Rather than accepting this as inevitable, those experiences became a motivation for her to step up her efforts.

“Seeing some KPs dying of HIV when there are drugs and preventive services motivated me to step up my effort to bridge the gap.”

Clara also witnessed the psychosocial challenges faced by many KPs. Frustration, stigma and discrimination often made it difficult for clients to seek or remain engaged in HIV services. These experiences strengthened her determination to become a trusted link between KPs and the health services available to them.

She joined as peer educator at a time when stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and key populations were high. Yet, despite the challenges and the fear surrounding the work, Clara never considered turning back. She remained focused on her objective: saving lives by ensuring that KPs are connected to the services they need.

Through her work with NEPWU, Clara has provided HIV prevention information, conducted peer-to-peer outreach, distributed and demonstrated correct condom use, supported STI referrals, and provided adherence counselling to clients receiving HIV treatment. Her approach goes beyond simply providing information she builds trust, follows up with clients and encourages them to take ownership of their health.

Her impact is measurable. Since joining NEPWU in 2022, Clara has successfully linked 35 new clients to HIV treatment at the ART center. Behind this number are 35 individuals who were given an opportunity to access treatment, receive care and continue living their lives with hope.

Today, in Yei River County, Clara continues to work alongside fellow peer educators, reaching communities and ensuring that HIV prevention and treatment services are not out of reach for those who need them most.

Her journey is a reminder that peer educators are more than outreach workers. They are bridges between communities and health services, trusted voices in difficult conversations, and champions who continue to show up when others may be afraid to.

Clara Keji’s story represents the dedication, courage and compassion of peer educators who work on the frontlines of the HIV response. Her commitment since 2014 and her continued service with NEPWU since 2022 demonstrates what can happen when one person chooses to stand with a community and refuse to give up.

NEPWU recognizes and celebrates Clara Keji for her outstanding commitment, resilience and contribution to saving lives and strengthening access to HIV prevention and treatment services among key populations in Yei River County.

With Support from The Global Fund through UNDP, NEPWU is providing comprehensive HIV prevention services to KPs, Sexual Transmitted Infection (STI) screening, Tuberculosis (TB) Referral, Linkage to Family Planning Services and provision of Psychosocial First Aids

For many people living with HIV in South Sudan, the virus is not the only challenge they face. Stigma and discrimination continue to affect their daily lives, limiting access to healthcare, education, employment, and social support. Fear of being judged or rejected often prevents people from seeking HIV testing, disclosing their status, or remaining on treatment.

Recognizing these challenges, the National Empowerment of Positive Women United (NEPWU) has continued to use radio as a powerful platform to raise awareness, challenge harmful misconceptions, and promote acceptance of people living with HIV. Through regular radio talk shows and community discussions, NEPWU is reaching thousands of listeners with messages that encourage compassion, understanding, and respect for all people regardless of their HIV status on Radio Miraya, Eye Radio among others.

Recently, NEPWU participated in a radio talk show on Radio Miraya, one of the most widely listened-to radio stations in South Sudan. The discussion focused on HIV stigma and discrimination, their harmful effects on individuals and communities, and the collective responsibility of society to create an environment where people living with HIV can live with dignity.

During the talk show, NEPWU sensitized listeners on the dangers of stigma and discrimination and explained how these behaviors negatively affect HIV prevention, treatment, and care efforts. The discussion highlighted the importance of treating people living with HIV with respect and supporting them to access health services without fear of judgment.

Particular attention was given to the impact of stigma on school-going children living with HIV. Many children face bullying, isolation, and discrimination from peers, adult and teachers, which can affect their emotional well-being and interrupt their education. By bringing these issues to the public’s attention, the radio program encouraged families, teachers, and community leaders to create safe and supportive environments where every child can learn and thrive.

The program also served as a platform for advocacy. NEPWU called for stronger policies and legal protections for people living with HIV, emphasizing the need for laws and frameworks that safeguard their rights and protect them from discrimination in schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities, and communities.

The reach of Radio Miraya has made this effort particularly effective. With its extensive coverage across South Sudan, the station enables NEPWU to deliver life-changing messages to diverse communities, including those in remote areas where access to information may be limited. Through radio, NEPWU is able to engage a broad audience, spark meaningful conversations, and challenge long-held beliefs that contribute to stigma and discrimination.

The impact of these radio engagements extends beyond the airwaves when a studio line was opened for listeners to give their feedback. Community members are increasingly seeking accurate information about HIV, openly discussing issues that were once considered taboo, and demonstrating greater understanding toward people living with HIV. These changes, although gradual, represent important steps toward building a more inclusive and supportive society.

NEPWU remains committed to using radio and other communication platforms to reach even more communities across South Sudan. By continuing to educate, advocate, and amplify the voices of people living with HIV, the organization is helping to break down barriers, reduce stigma, and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy and dignified life.

As South Sudan continues its fight against HIV, NEPWU believes that information, dialogue, and community engagement remain among the strongest tools for creating lasting change. Through the power of radio, hope, understanding, and acceptance are reaching homes across the country one broadcast at a time.

In communities across South Sudan, NEPWU is playing a critical role using Mentor Mothers (MM) in ensuring that pregnant and breastfeeding women access lifesaving HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care services. Through MM dedication, compassion, and close engagement with mothers at health facilities and within communities, they are helping to protect mothers and their babies from HIV while promoting healthy pregnancies and safer deliveries.

During the second quarter reporting period, NEPWU continue to provide Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services across 16 health facilities in the country, reaching a total of 20,869 pregnant women (20,629) and their partners (240) with PMTCT-related HIV prevention messages at Antenatal Care (ANC) clinics. Their continuous follow-up, counseling, and encouragement contributed to increased uptake of HIV testing among expectant mothers and their partners.

As a result of these efforts, 3,153 clients were tested for HIV at ANC clinics, enabling early identification of HIV-positive mothers and timely access to treatment. Early testing remains one of the most effective strategies in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as it allows mothers to begin treatment and receive the support needed to protect their unborn children.

The impact of Mentor Mothers became even more evident in the identification and support of HIV-positive mothers. During the reporting period, 145 individuals tested HIV positive, and all were successfully linked to care and treatment services. A total of 145 HIV-positive clients were linked to care, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Mentor Mother approach in ensuring that no mother is left behind after receiving an HIV diagnosis.

Beyond testing and treatment linkage, Mentor Mothers continue to provide psychosocial support, adherence counseling, and follow-up services that help mothers remain engaged in care throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding. Their lived experiences enable them to build trust with clients, reduce fear and stigma, and inspire hope among women who may otherwise struggle to access or continue treatment.

The success achieved through PMTCT services highlights the importance of community-led interventions in the fight against HIV. By walking alongside pregnant and breastfeeding women throughout their journey, we are helping to ensure that more mothers know their HIV status, receive treatment on time, and give birth to HIV-free babies.

With continued support from the Global Fund through Cordaid, NEPWU is reach pregnant mothers with PMTCT services at ANC department across 31 facilities in South Sudan NEPWU remain at the forefront of efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in South Sudan. Our work is not only improving health outcomes for mothers and children but is also strengthening communities and building a future where every child has the opportunity to be born free from HIV.