Women's evolving livelihoods and shifting gender norms in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan

This study examines women’s adaptive livelihood strategies, or bricolage, in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan, amidst a context of protracted conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability. It explores how women creatively combine multiple small-scale income-generating activities to sustain their household’s well-being, while navigating shifting gender dynamics and challenging sociocultural norms. The research draws on 30 in-depth interviews with women and men, 14 key informant interviews, and seven focus group discussions conducted in March 2025 across rural and peri-urban communities in Wau and Jur River counties.