CSCOV Founder and Executive Director Grace John Kenyi, awarded the Women Human Rights Defender, Winner of the year 2025

Grace John Kenyi, the founder and Executive Director of the Center for Strengthening Community Voices (CSCOV), has been named the Women Human Rights Defender Winner of the Year 2025 in South Sudan. The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) on 9 December 2025 at the Pyramid Hotel in Juba recognized her unwavering dedication to advancing women’s rights, peacebuilding, and gender equality in a nation grappling with ongoing conflict and political instability.

For over a decade, Kenyi has been a formidable force in South Sudanese civil society. She transitioned to grassroots activism to engage more directly with communities affected by violence, quickly becoming an influential voice for peace.

A Champion for Women’s Participation and Peace

As the head of CSCOV, a women-led organization established in 2017, Kenyi has been instrumental in creating spaces for local communities, particularly women, to participate in critical decision-making processes. Her work is deeply rooted in the promotion and localization of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, encapsulated in UN Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1889, and 1820.

Key aspects of her advocacy include:

• Challenging the Status Quo: Kenyi is known for her outspoken approach, demanding greater representation for women and youth in leadership roles and pushing back against restrictive social norms.
• Peace and Security Advocacy: She has effectively influenced the renewal of the UNMISS mandate and is a key civil society focal person on transitional justice mechanisms as per the 2018 peace agreement.
• Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response: Kenyi has extensive experience in working with communities on issues of GBV and conflict resolution, a critical challenge in South Sudan.
• Livelihood Empowerment: CSCOV actively works on women’s economic empowerment initiatives, providing access to markets and livelihood activities to help women achieve financial independence.

A Resilient Leader

Kenyi’s journey is one of immense resilience. Juggling motherhood, activism, and entrepreneurship, she has consistently defied stereotypes, proving that women can thrive in multiple spheres. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed; earlier in 2025, she joined other women leaders to launch the Africa Family Law Network, which aims to eliminate oppressive family laws across the continent.

This award is a testament to Grace John Kenyi’s tireless efforts and personal sacrifices in the pursuit of justice and equality. It not only celebrates her achievements but also shines a light on the vital, often dangerous, work performed by women human rights defenders at the grassroots level in South Sudan.