About us
Who we are
Women Advancement Organization (WAO) is a national, non-profit organization founded in 2012 in Juba, South Sudan. We are registered with the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) under registration number 439.
We believe that every woman and out-of-school youth has the power to transform their community when given the opportunity. For over a decade, we have worked on the front lines of advocacy, education, and empowerment—changing laws, changing lives, and changing the future of South Sudan, one person at a time.
We started with a simple belief: that no young person should be left behind. Seeing a critical gap in access to education and fundamental rights for women and out-of-school youth, our founders established WAO to offer an alternative. What began as a local initiative in Juba has grown into a national movement, driven by the urgency to provide shelter, food, education, and legal advocacy to those who need it most.
Our approach
Today, we run shelter homes, alternative education systems, and vocational training centers. We have established helpline offices across the country, ensuring that vulnerable women and youth can reach us anytime, anywhere. We don’t just offer a conversation; we offer a path forward—through financial support, professional training, legal protection, and the assurance that they are not alone. Our goal is to meet them where they are and get them where they need to be.
Our Mission
To reduce illiteracy among women and out-of-school youth, improve their livelihoods, protect their fundamental rights, and increase their participation in all socio-economic activities.
Our Vision
A resilient South Sudanese society with sustainable, equitable services for all citizens, regardless of language, gender, religion, or cultural background.
Our Partners
