The European Union Delegation to South Sudan and its partner, the International Trade Centre (ITC), on Friday organised a mini fruit and vegetable fair at the European Compound to mark the International Women's Day under the theme "Inspire Inclusion".

The fair aimed at showcasing the activities of women farmers benefitting from a collaboration with ITC in promoting women's empowerment through agribusiness and other related ventures.

The fair brought together over 20 women entrepreneurs who have benefited from the South Sudan Job Creation and Trade Development Project - a programme funded by the European Union and implemented by the ITC.

EUDSSD

Speaking at the opening of the fair on Friday, Timo Olkkonen, the EU Ambassador to South Sudan, said the aim of the farmers' market was to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in South Sudan and to reflect on the importance of women's inclusion and empowerment in our journey to build strong societies.

"The beneficiaries of this project are mostly young women and we are very proud of this - gender equality is a core value of the EU and gender issues are taken into account in all our development projects," said Ambassador Olkkonen. “The empowerment and inclusion of women is essential to the social and economic development of communities and countries. When women live safe, fulfilling and productive lives, they can reach their full potential and contribute their skills to society.”

EUDSSD

The project coordinator, Kuot Madhor Kuot, said the project was born out of the Government of South Sudan's request to ITC to support and develop the capacity of micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those involved in fruit and vegetables, and to create jobs for youth and women.

"This project would not have been successful without EU support because it came at a time when there were a lot of competing priorities in terms of humanitarian aid," Kuot said. "This project has achieved a lot, not only in terms of capacity building, but it has helped the government to develop the National Quality Policy, the Food and Vegetable Strategy and the South Sudan Food Safety Association."

One of the beneficiaries, a fruit and vegetable vendor, said the project had changed her life for the better. “Through my small business, my daughter was able to graduate from one of the best universities in Uganda (Makerere University) and all my other children have access to a good education, good health care and a good life," said Abuk Deng. "Through the project, I have been able to gain knowledge and skills on how to promote my business, improve my packaging and branding, and improve the quality of my products."

EUDSSD

The ongoing project aims at improving the competitiveness of SMEs and increasing employment opportunities specifically for women and youth. The focus is on fruits and vegetables value chains in selected payams in Central and in Western Equatoria.

EUDSSD