Honyomiji: the local women’s peacebuilding institution in South Sudan

ABSTRACT There is an increasing interest in women and grassroots/indigenous peace methods inclusion in peacebuilding in the Sub-Sahara region. These moves are proposed as subsidiaries to the ‘high-level’ conventional institutions’ methods. Yet, grassroots/indigenous institutions are not recognised, and women continue to be viewed as passive victims to be protected- but what roles do indigenous women institutions play in peacebuilding? Using empirical data and critical literature on gender and peacebuilding, this paper analyses how South Sudanese indigenous women (Honyomiji) institution engage in peacebuilding. It argues that women’s indigenous obligations of leadership, education, social support and religious/cultural ceremonies are crucial in national peacebuilding. Also, it recognises that such institutions’ terms may not be aligned with conventional standards and make the work of acknowledging indigenous peace methods difficult. However, this paper suggests that their inclusion in the national peace initiatives may provide alternative methods for delivering sustainable peace and learning to peace actors.