Finding strength and safety in Rubkona County
Women leading change through community spaces
In Tong community, women recall years of isolation after floods displaced them from their homes. Confined indoors, they had little chance to gather, share experiences, or seek support. Without safe spaces or services, challenges such as domestic abuse, child safety concerns, and emotional distress were endured in silence.
Change began when local women themselves took initiative. One woman leader donated her former home, turning it into a place where others could meet. What started as a simple gathering point has grown into a vibrant women‑friendly space, alongside a child‑friendly space, where women and families now come together to support one another.
For many, the transformation is profound:
This is the first time we are coming together to one place just to talk about us. Here, we feel like one tribe.
Within the space, women meet regularly for informal “tea talks,” where they share experiences, offer advice, and provide emotional support. Through these interactions, they have built strong bonds and a sense of collective identity.
We counsel one another. Now we know how to identify when abuse is taking place and where to report it. Knowing someone will listen and support us gives us peace.
In Reang, women emphasized how the space has raised awareness about protection issues. Survivors of domestic abuse, once silenced by stigma and fear, now find strength in collective support.
“Before, there was nowhere to go, no one to tell. Now we are learning to be each other’s support system,” shared one participant amid applause from the group.
The child‑friendly space nearby has also eased parents’ fears. Previously, children wandered unsupervised, sometimes traveling far by canoe, with tragic consequences. Now, families feel reassured.
Our children are in one place, they play, and they spend their time productively. We are at peace knowing they are safe.
The impact extends beyond Tong and Reang. Families from neighboring highlands travel by canoe to bring their children to the play space, while women themselves have become active contributors to outreach.
“We even accompany the social workers for outreach and ride them in our canoes.”
Across these communities, women describe the space not just as a building, but as a symbol of belonging and agency.
“We socialize here, make friends, and feel secure.”
The women‑friendly and child‑friendly spaces in Rubkona are a testament to community strength and initiative. By creating safe places and supporting one another, women have built networks of protection and care that extend across villages. Their leadership, combined with support made possible through the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund, is ensuring that families find dignity, safety, and hope even in the most challenging circumstances.
