Women in Joppa One West Demand Construction of Bridge Amid Flooding Risks
By Kidega Livingstone
Women in Joppa One West, Gudele, have raised concerns over the poor state of a bridge linking their community to Gurei Primary Health Care Centre, schools, and the main highway leading to Juba.
The concerns were raised during activities organized by Global Voices Organization (GVO) under its women’s empowerment, protection, and advocacy programme.
The initiative provides mentorship to 30 grassroots women leaders on developing and presenting position papers and petitions with advocacy recommendations to local authorities, highlighting gaps in protection services and promoting women’s protection needs.
Speaking to Juba Echo TV, the Women Leader of Joppa One West, Josephine Abraham, said the community lacks a reliable bridge that would enable residents to access essential government services, including healthcare and education.
“When it rains heavily, we face serious challenges. People cannot reach the hospital, and children are unable to attend school because of the flooding. We are appealing to the government to construct a bridge so that we can connect to the main road,” Abraham said.
Another resident, Nancy John, said recent flooding claimed the lives of two children who were attempting to cross a nearby stream on their way to a primary school in the area.
“We need the government to help us by constructing a bridge. If it is not built, we will continue to suffer from flooding and its consequences,” she said.
Another women leader, Margaret Henry, noted that the existing bridge structure is blocked and does not allow water to flow properly, increasing the risk of flooding in the community.
“The government should help us because many families have lost their houses due to flooding caused by the inadequate bridge. We need a modern bridge that will allow water to pass freely and provide safe access for residents,” she said.
Global Voices Organization (GVO) is a survivor- and women-led humanitarian and development organization that works to empower women and adolescent girls across South Sudan to understand, claim, and advocate for their rights.
