A survivor of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Mundri has expressed renewed hope after completing a Financial Literacy Training organized by the Active Youth Agency (AYA) with support from the Global Survivors Fund (GSF). The training aimed to empower women affected by conflict to rebuild their lives through financial knowledge and business skills.
Mary (not her real name), one of the participants, said the training equipped her with essential financial management skills, including saving, budgeting, record keeping, and business planning. She described the five-day training as a turning point in her journey toward recovery and self-reliance.
“I have learned how to plan, save, and manage my small business better. Before, I was just selling groundnuts without knowing how to calculate profit or save money,” Mary explained. “Now, I want to start a small retail shop and use my income to support my children and other women like me.”
The training, conducted in Mundri town, brought together several CRSV survivors and vulnerable women from surrounding communities. Facilitators emphasized that financial empowerment is key to restoring dignity and confidence among survivors of gender-based violence.
According to Mr. Sismaya Kpaciwa, the hired consultant, the goal of the program is to help survivors transition from dependency to self-reliance. “We believe that when women, especially survivors, gain financial knowledge, they are better positioned to make informed decisions about their businesses and families,” he said. “Economic empowerment plays a major role in their healing and reintegration process.”
The Project Manager, Mrs. Rachel Samia, highlighted that many CRSV survivors in Western Equatoria continue to face stigma and economic hardship, which hinder their recovery. “Our aim is to restore hope and confidence among men and women who have gone through trauma. Financial literacy is not just about money—it’s about dignity, independence, and rebuilding self-worth,” she remarked.
Mary now plans to form a women’s saving group to help others apply similar financial principles in their daily lives. “I believe when women support each other, we rise together,” she added with a smile.
For many survivors in Mundri, the financial literacy training supported by GSF represents more than just business education—it is a step toward healing, empowerment, and long-term resilience.