Working in The Province of Sudan

On 9th July 2011 Sudan separated into two separate countries following the referendum decision of the people of South Sudan to seek independence from the north.

Like the Episcopal Church of Sudan, Mothers' Union Sudan will remain as one provincial unit working across both Sudan and South Sudan.

The foundation of South Sudan is a huge achievement following years of civil war and sectarian conflict. Both Sudan and South Sudan suffer poverty, illness and a fragile infrastructure which has been exacerbated in recent years when civil unrest has caused schools, health centres, churches and homes to be destroyed. South Sudan will be one of the poorest countries in the world.

Mothers' Union across Sudan, particularly in areas of disputed land rights, returning refugees and those seeing displaced people, has a strong mission to bring peace and reconciliation to communities. Literacy & Financial Education Trainer for Mothers' Union Wau Diocese, Cecilia says "peace starts at home, and I feel that women are crucial to this." By bringing together women for fellowship, counselling and education whole communities can be brought to have understanding and work together for a better future.

Mothers' Union are maintaining and initiating where necessary programmes which empower women. Women who are educated or able to earn an income are more likely to educate their children, better equipped to nurture their families, and more likely to take on leadership roles within their communities. Women empowered in this way are also more likely to advocate against early marriage for young girls, to take part in democratic activities, such as elections, and to contribute to political governance of their country. (see MDG 3) Mothers' Union's Literacy Programme, begun as the Literacy & Development Programme in 2000, is playing a crucial role in meeting millennium development goals of educating and empowering women. The new Government of South Sudan has set an ambitious (given the cultural circumstances) target of having 30% of leadership roles in the country held by women. The education of women in literacy, numeracy and business skills is making a huge impact on the lives of families living in poverty in Sudan, and helping overcome years of marginalisation for women and girls.

Across five regions in South Sudan and one in Sudan literacy circles are providing education for women (79% of group attendees are women on average), giving them not only the opportunity to learn to read, write and count, but also giving relationship education, building reconciliation between different groups, giving health and hygiene education and education on gender equality. Once accredited literate, groups in many areas now also have the opportunity to go on to do financial education. Many form cooperatives to save money together to finance small business initiatives, or to start up a collective business. External funding from British funding charity, Comic Relief will equip Mothers' Union Sudan to enable 28,000 people (70% women) to gain essential literacy and financial educaiton as well as business skills in the period 2010 - 2014. The programme also has a goal of encouraging 3,000 female beneficiaries of MUFLEP to take on leadership roles by the end of the programme.

The 15,000+ members of Mothers' Union also (at the time of writing) undertake the provision of essential items such as food, clothing, blankets and latrines, and give spiritual care such as counselling, to internally displaced people living in camps to escape conflict. Longer term they help these families resettle by carrying out reconciliation with other local communities, and through the provision of farming tools and supplies.

Vocational training, and practical solutions for women, such as the provision of grinding mills for grain, or the provision of clean water, also help bring about empowerment as these time-saving elements mean women have more time to give to the literacy and financial education learning.