Recommendations

vuonze patrick

 6/26/2025
10

"Recognizing Gloria Soma: Champion of Women’s Empowerment in South Sudan
Gloria Soma – Executive Director of the Titi Foundation in South Sudan – is a tireless advocate and leader championing women’s rights, community development, and peacebuilding. Her unwavering dedication to empowering women-led organizations and vulnerable communities has made a profound impact both in South Sudan and on the global stage. This public recommendation highlights Gloria’s passion, leadership, and achievements, offering an endorsement of her remarkable contributions.
A Vision of Empowerment Rooted in Personal Journey
Gloria’s commitment to her people is deeply rooted in her personal journey. Born to South Sudanese parents who fled conflict in the 1990s, she grew up largely in East African refugee camps, benefitting from humanitarian aid in her youth. After completing her studies (earning a degree in finance and an MBA abroad), she returned to South Sudan in 2013 driven by hope and a sense of belonging to her newly independent homeland.
In July 2016, when violent clashes erupted in Juba, Gloria instinctively opened her family’s compound to shelter hundreds of women and children fleeing the fighting. For days she listened to harrowing stories of rape, murder, and displacement from those she sheltered – a turning point that solidified her resolve. “I said, you know what? I’m going to go back and I’m hoping I will be able to contribute in my own little way. And that’s how the foundation started,” Gloria recounts of her decision to stay and serve her community. Later in 2016, she founded the Titi Foundation, transforming her personal empathy into organized action. This formative experience underlies Gloria’s passionate commitment and hands-on dedication to empowering others during South Sudan’s most turbulent times.
Leadership at Titi Foundation: Empowerment in Action
Gloria Soma, Executive Director of Titi Foundation, has built a women-led team driving humanitarian and development programs in South Sudan.
As Founder and Executive Director of the Titi Foundation, Gloria Soma has translated her vision into action. Under her leadership, Titi Foundation has grown into a prominent national NGO addressing both urgent humanitarian needs and long-term development goals. Notably, over 70% of Titi’s staff are women – the result of Gloria’s deliberate strategy to empower women and prove their capacity to lead. “Women in South Sudan, for a very long time, have been marginalised and thought to be second-class citizens who cannot deliver… It leaves out ideas for innovations that women would have brought to the table if given the opportunity,” Gloria observes, underscoring why she prioritizes women’s leadership. By building a female-majority team, she not only mentors women professionals but also models inclusive leadership that she hopes will be replicated across society.
Under Gloria’s guidance, the Titi Foundation implements a wide range of programs that uplift women and communities. From food security and child nutrition projects to initiatives combating gender-based violence and boosting women’s livelihoods, Titi’s work addresses the intersecting challenges facing South Sudanese women. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gloria led efforts to help women maintain hygiene and nutrition by providing food, soap, and clean water – life-saving support implemented in partnership with international allies. Such programs reflect Gloria’s holistic approach: tackling immediate humanitarian needs while also advancing women’s economic empowerment, education, and health for the long term. Her vision of empowerment is clear: “Our aim with Titi has always been that we wanted to build more powerful women and girls… to be independent, to be able to fend for yourself, and in your own small circle, to create small change. That’s what we’re trying to do,” Gloria explains. By equipping women with skills, resources, and confidence, she is fostering a generation of self-reliant female leaders capable of driving change in their communities.
Key Accomplishments and Impact: Gloria Soma’s leadership at Titi Foundation has yielded tangible gains for women and society:
- Shelter and Relief: Provided emergency shelter to hundreds of women and children during the 2016 Juba conflict, a catalyst that launched Titi Foundation’s humanitarian mission.
- Women-Led Organization: Built Titi into a women-led organization with 70% female staff, demonstrating women’s effective leadership in humanitarian work.
- Holistic Programs: Implemented programs in education, livelihoods, WASH, and protection that advance women’s rights – from keeping girls in school and supporting survivors of gender-based violence to improving maternal health and food security.
- Justice for Survivors: Since 2018, collaborated with other women’s groups to pursue justice for sexual violence survivors, helping to bring 56 perpetrators to conviction in South Sudan’s courts and working towards prosecuting hundreds more. This unprecedented effort is bringing accountability and hope for healing to survivors of wartime atrocities.
- Economic Empowerment: Facilitated livelihood training and income-generating projects for women, enabling them to support their families and participate in local economies – critical in a country where conflict has impoverished many. (Gloria firmly believes in shifting women from dependency to self-sufficiency, as she once journeyed herself from refugee to leader.)
Through these accomplishments, Gloria Soma has proven exceptional skill in turning advocacy into action, building an organization that directly improves lives while challenging norms that hold women back.
Advocacy for Women’s Rights and Peacebuilding
Beyond managing programs, Gloria is a bold advocate for systemic change in South Sudan. As a self-described human and women’s rights activist, she uses her voice to influence policies and societal attitudes. Gloria has been at the forefront of campaigns to end sexual and gender-based violence and to involve women in peace and governance processes. She asserts that engaging women in decision-making is not optional but essential: “If women are not at the table to discuss what women want, the policies will not reflect their interests. For that reason, I keep on pushing for a society that works for all genders,” she says passionatelypaxforpeace.nl. In practice, this means Gloria contributes to important legal reforms – for instance, she has helped draft a groundbreaking family law bill that, if passed, would secure greater rights and protections for women (a “major milestone for female emancipation,” as she describes it)paxforpeace.nl. Her advocacy work exemplifies a commitment to changing the structures that marginalize women.
Gloria Soma also recognizes that peacebuilding and women’s rights go hand in hand. Having lived through civil war and its traumas, she speaks fervently about the need for healing and justice as foundations for lasting peace. South Sudan’s recent history includes horrific sexual violence during conflict – a fact Gloria refuses to let the world ignore. She cites, for example, a spree of 125 rapes that occurred in Bentiu in late 2018, where perpetrators went unpunished. In response, Gloria and the Titi Foundation joined forces with other women’s organizations to seek accountability for such crimes. “Yes, it has been a slow process,” she admits, “but since 2018 to date we’ve been able to…[convict] about 56 perpetrators. Our target is to prosecute about 500, so that people get to see the realities and the degree of atrocities committed. Our hope is that by doing this we’re also able to bring… some peace of mind for the victims.”. This powerful statement illustrates Gloria’s dogged pursuit of justice: she is giving survivors a voice, demanding that authorities prosecute abusers, and thereby laying groundwork for reconciliation in communities torn by violence.
Crucially, Gloria’s advocacy extends to calling on national leaders and international partners to do more for peace. She has openly expressed frustration with South Sudan’s political leadership for “squandering the hopes” of independence, and with the global community for insufficient action to prevent suffering. But rather than cynicism, her critiques come with a constructive vision. She argues that South Sudan must “embark on a process of healing”, creating safe spaces for survivors to share their stories and trauma, as a prerequisite for genuine peace. By promoting trauma healing, community dialogue, and inclusion of women at all levels, Gloria Soma is helping chart a path toward a more peaceful, egalitarian South Sudan. Her voice carries the weight of on-the-ground experience and is respected as a source of inspiration and accountability in the peacebuilding arena.
Global Influence and Recognition
Gloria Soma’s impact and leadership have been recognized far beyond South Sudan’s borders. As her organization and advocacy work blossomed, she emerged as a respected voice in international humanitarian and women’s rights circles. Gloria serves on multiple high-profile boards and committees, reflecting her standing as a representative of local, women-led organizations on the global stage. For example, she sits on the Board of the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) Alliance, contributing to upholding accountability and quality in aid efforts worldwide. She is also a member of South Sudan’s national NGO Forum steering committee and the Localization Steering Committee, and represents local NGOs in the global Grand Bargain workstream on localization (including the Charter for Change initiative). In these roles, Gloria ensures that the perspectives of South Sudanese women and communities inform international policy decisions – truly “amplifying local voices” in places where they are often underrepresented.
In addition, Gloria Soma is a sought-after speaker and thought leader at international conferences and forums. She has shared her insights on women’s leadership, localization of aid, and crisis response at events like the 2022 CHA Humanitarian Conference and AidEx humanitarian summits. In 2024, for instance, she spoke on a panel about partnering with local actors as catalysts for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting how empowering local women-led groups can accelerate development and peace. Colleagues describe her as passionate, eloquent, and insightful – a leader who bridges the gap between grassroots realities and global strategies. The international media have taken notice as well: The Guardian profiled Gloria among “the women hoping to heal South Sudan,” showcasing her as a beacon of hope and resilience in a war-torn nation. Such coverage and invitations speak to the high regard in which she is held as an expert on gender empowerment and humanitarian action.
Though much of Gloria’s work is done quietly on the ground, she has received honors and expressions of gratitude from those who have witnessed her impact. Whether it’s a community praising her foundation for delivering relief during famine, or global partners recognizing her contributions to aid effectiveness, Gloria remains humble and focused on the mission. She often emphasizes that the success of Titi Foundation is a collective effort, attributing it to the strong team of South Sudanese women and men she leads and the resilience of the communities they serve. This collaborative spirit, combined with her personal courage and clarity of purpose, has earned her a reputation as an inspirational role model for emerging women leaders across Africa.
Conclusion: An Endorsement of Courage and Impact
In sum, Gloria Soma embodies dedication, passion, and visionary leadership in the pursuit of women’s empowerment and peace. Through nearly a decade of service, she has empowered countless women and girls to claim their rights and improve their lives. She has advocated fiercely for those without a voice – from survivors of gender violence seeking justice, to young women striving to become leaders in their own right. Gloria’s work with Titi Foundation has not only provided tangible aid and opportunities on the ground, but also sparked broader changes in attitudes and policies toward women in South Sudan. In her own words, she remains “optimistic… but only if we begin having everyone accommodated… to have conversations. We need people to heal in order for us to move forward”. Gloria Soma is exactly the kind of leader who helps make that healing and forward movement possible.
It is with the greatest respect and enthusiasm that we recommend Gloria Soma for public recognition. Her story – from a refugee childhood to an Executive Director and international advocate – is a testament to her resilience and heart for service. Her achievements illustrate how one person’s vision and determination can transform not just individual lives, but entire communities. In honoring Gloria Soma, we honor the values of empowerment, justice, and peace that she steadfastly advances. She is a true champion for women and a beacon of hope for South Sudan and beyond.
Sources:
- Lizzy Davies, The Guardian: Profile on Gloria Soma and women healing South Sudan
- Feminist Giant newsletter: Coverage of Gloria Soma’s work and quotes
- The New Humanitarian: Interview with Gloria Soma on local aid and dependency
- CHS Alliance – Meet the Speakers (2024): Gloria Soma’s bio and leadership roles
- PAX for Peace (2022): Gloria’s insights on gender-based violence and advocacypaxforpeace.nlpaxforpeace.nl
- South Sudan NGO Forum: Titi Foundation mission overview
- AidEx Humanitarian Summit (2024): Gloria Soma’s participation as speaker
Citations

The fight against gender-based violence in South Sudan - PAX
https://paxforpeace.nl/news/the-fight-against-gender-based-violence-in-south-sudan/


The fight against gender-based violence in South Sudan - PAX
https://paxforpeace.nl/news/the-fight-against-gender-based-violence-in-south-sudan/


"

Related persons

vuonze patrick

 6/26/2025
10

"Recognizing Gloria Soma: Champion of Women’s Empowerment in South Sudan
Gloria Soma – Executive Director of the Titi Foundation in South Sudan – is a tireless advocate and leader championing women’s rights, community development, and peacebuilding. Her unwavering dedication to empowering women-led organizations and vulnerable communities has made a profound impact both in South Sudan and on the global stage. This public recommendation highlights Gloria’s passion, leadership, and achievements, offering an endorsement of her remarkable contributions.
A Vision of Empowerment Rooted in Personal Journey
Gloria’s commitment to her people is deeply rooted in her personal journey. Born to South Sudanese parents who fled conflict in the 1990s, she grew up largely in East African refugee camps, benefitting from humanitarian aid in her youth. After completing her studies (earning a degree in finance and an MBA abroad), she returned to South Sudan in 2013 driven by hope and a sense of belonging to her newly independent homeland.
In July 2016, when violent clashes erupted in Juba, Gloria instinctively opened her family’s compound to shelter hundreds of women and children fleeing the fighting. For days she listened to harrowing stories of rape, murder, and displacement from those she sheltered – a turning point that solidified her resolve. “I said, you know what? I’m going to go back and I’m hoping I will be able to contribute in my own little way. And that’s how the foundation started,” Gloria recounts of her decision to stay and serve her community. Later in 2016, she founded the Titi Foundation, transforming her personal empathy into organized action. This formative experience underlies Gloria’s passionate commitment and hands-on dedication to empowering others during South Sudan’s most turbulent times.
Leadership at Titi Foundation: Empowerment in Action
Gloria Soma, Executive Director of Titi Foundation, has built a women-led team driving humanitarian and development programs in South Sudan.
As Founder and Executive Director of the Titi Foundation, Gloria Soma has translated her vision into action. Under her leadership, Titi Foundation has grown into a prominent national NGO addressing both urgent humanitarian needs and long-term development goals. Notably, over 70% of Titi’s staff are women – the result of Gloria’s deliberate strategy to empower women and prove their capacity to lead. “Women in South Sudan, for a very long time, have been marginalised and thought to be second-class citizens who cannot deliver… It leaves out ideas for innovations that women would have brought to the table if given the opportunity,” Gloria observes, underscoring why she prioritizes women’s leadership. By building a female-majority team, she not only mentors women professionals but also models inclusive leadership that she hopes will be replicated across society.
Under Gloria’s guidance, the Titi Foundation implements a wide range of programs that uplift women and communities. From food security and child nutrition projects to initiatives combating gender-based violence and boosting women’s livelihoods, Titi’s work addresses the intersecting challenges facing South Sudanese women. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gloria led efforts to help women maintain hygiene and nutrition by providing food, soap, and clean water – life-saving support implemented in partnership with international allies. Such programs reflect Gloria’s holistic approach: tackling immediate humanitarian needs while also advancing women’s economic empowerment, education, and health for the long term. Her vision of empowerment is clear: “Our aim with Titi has always been that we wanted to build more powerful women and girls… to be independent, to be able to fend for yourself, and in your own small circle, to create small change. That’s what we’re trying to do,” Gloria explains. By equipping women with skills, resources, and confidence, she is fostering a generation of self-reliant female leaders capable of driving change in their communities.
Key Accomplishments and Impact: Gloria Soma’s leadership at Titi Foundation has yielded tangible gains for women and society:
- Shelter and Relief: Provided emergency shelter to hundreds of women and children during the 2016 Juba conflict, a catalyst that launched Titi Foundation’s humanitarian mission.
- Women-Led Organization: Built Titi into a women-led organization with 70% female staff, demonstrating women’s effective leadership in humanitarian work.
- Holistic Programs: Implemented programs in education, livelihoods, WASH, and protection that advance women’s rights – from keeping girls in school and supporting survivors of gender-based violence to improving maternal health and food security.
- Justice for Survivors: Since 2018, collaborated with other women’s groups to pursue justice for sexual violence survivors, helping to bring 56 perpetrators to conviction in South Sudan’s courts and working towards prosecuting hundreds more. This unprecedented effort is bringing accountability and hope for healing to survivors of wartime atrocities.
- Economic Empowerment: Facilitated livelihood training and income-generating projects for women, enabling them to support their families and participate in local economies – critical in a country where conflict has impoverished many. (Gloria firmly believes in shifting women from dependency to self-sufficiency, as she once journeyed herself from refugee to leader.)
Through these accomplishments, Gloria Soma has proven exceptional skill in turning advocacy into action, building an organization that directly improves lives while challenging norms that hold women back.
Advocacy for Women’s Rights and Peacebuilding
Beyond managing programs, Gloria is a bold advocate for systemic change in South Sudan. As a self-described human and women’s rights activist, she uses her voice to influence policies and societal attitudes. Gloria has been at the forefront of campaigns to end sexual and gender-based violence and to involve women in peace and governance processes. She asserts that engaging women in decision-making is not optional but essential: “If women are not at the table to discuss what women want, the policies will not reflect their interests. For that reason, I keep on pushing for a society that works for all genders,” she says passionatelypaxforpeace.nl. In practice, this means Gloria contributes to important legal reforms – for instance, she has helped draft a groundbreaking family law bill that, if passed, would secure greater rights and protections for women (a “major milestone for female emancipation,” as she describes it)paxforpeace.nl. Her advocacy work exemplifies a commitment to changing the structures that marginalize women.
Gloria Soma also recognizes that peacebuilding and women’s rights go hand in hand. Having lived through civil war and its traumas, she speaks fervently about the need for healing and justice as foundations for lasting peace. South Sudan’s recent history includes horrific sexual violence during conflict – a fact Gloria refuses to let the world ignore. She cites, for example, a spree of 125 rapes that occurred in Bentiu in late 2018, where perpetrators went unpunished. In response, Gloria and the Titi Foundation joined forces with other women’s organizations to seek accountability for such crimes. “Yes, it has been a slow process,” she admits, “but since 2018 to date we’ve been able to…[convict] about 56 perpetrators. Our target is to prosecute about 500, so that people get to see the realities and the degree of atrocities committed. Our hope is that by doing this we’re also able to bring… some peace of mind for the victims.”. This powerful statement illustrates Gloria’s dogged pursuit of justice: she is giving survivors a voice, demanding that authorities prosecute abusers, and thereby laying groundwork for reconciliation in communities torn by violence.
Crucially, Gloria’s advocacy extends to calling on national leaders and international partners to do more for peace. She has openly expressed frustration with South Sudan’s political leadership for “squandering the hopes” of independence, and with the global community for insufficient action to prevent suffering. But rather than cynicism, her critiques come with a constructive vision. She argues that South Sudan must “embark on a process of healing”, creating safe spaces for survivors to share their stories and trauma, as a prerequisite for genuine peace. By promoting trauma healing, community dialogue, and inclusion of women at all levels, Gloria Soma is helping chart a path toward a more peaceful, egalitarian South Sudan. Her voice carries the weight of on-the-ground experience and is respected as a source of inspiration and accountability in the peacebuilding arena.
Global Influence and Recognition
Gloria Soma’s impact and leadership have been recognized far beyond South Sudan’s borders. As her organization and advocacy work blossomed, she emerged as a respected voice in international humanitarian and women’s rights circles. Gloria serves on multiple high-profile boards and committees, reflecting her standing as a representative of local, women-led organizations on the global stage. For example, she sits on the Board of the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) Alliance, contributing to upholding accountability and quality in aid efforts worldwide. She is also a member of South Sudan’s national NGO Forum steering committee and the Localization Steering Committee, and represents local NGOs in the global Grand Bargain workstream on localization (including the Charter for Change initiative). In these roles, Gloria ensures that the perspectives of South Sudanese women and communities inform international policy decisions – truly “amplifying local voices” in places where they are often underrepresented.
In addition, Gloria Soma is a sought-after speaker and thought leader at international conferences and forums. She has shared her insights on women’s leadership, localization of aid, and crisis response at events like the 2022 CHA Humanitarian Conference and AidEx humanitarian summits. In 2024, for instance, she spoke on a panel about partnering with local actors as catalysts for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting how empowering local women-led groups can accelerate development and peace. Colleagues describe her as passionate, eloquent, and insightful – a leader who bridges the gap between grassroots realities and global strategies. The international media have taken notice as well: The Guardian profiled Gloria among “the women hoping to heal South Sudan,” showcasing her as a beacon of hope and resilience in a war-torn nation. Such coverage and invitations speak to the high regard in which she is held as an expert on gender empowerment and humanitarian action.
Though much of Gloria’s work is done quietly on the ground, she has received honors and expressions of gratitude from those who have witnessed her impact. Whether it’s a community praising her foundation for delivering relief during famine, or global partners recognizing her contributions to aid effectiveness, Gloria remains humble and focused on the mission. She often emphasizes that the success of Titi Foundation is a collective effort, attributing it to the strong team of South Sudanese women and men she leads and the resilience of the communities they serve. This collaborative spirit, combined with her personal courage and clarity of purpose, has earned her a reputation as an inspirational role model for emerging women leaders across Africa.
Conclusion: An Endorsement of Courage and Impact
In sum, Gloria Soma embodies dedication, passion, and visionary leadership in the pursuit of women’s empowerment and peace. Through nearly a decade of service, she has empowered countless women and girls to claim their rights and improve their lives. She has advocated fiercely for those without a voice – from survivors of gender violence seeking justice, to young women striving to become leaders in their own right. Gloria’s work with Titi Foundation has not only provided tangible aid and opportunities on the ground, but also sparked broader changes in attitudes and policies toward women in South Sudan. In her own words, she remains “optimistic… but only if we begin having everyone accommodated… to have conversations. We need people to heal in order for us to move forward”. Gloria Soma is exactly the kind of leader who helps make that healing and forward movement possible.
It is with the greatest respect and enthusiasm that we recommend Gloria Soma for public recognition. Her story – from a refugee childhood to an Executive Director and international advocate – is a testament to her resilience and heart for service. Her achievements illustrate how one person’s vision and determination can transform not just individual lives, but entire communities. In honoring Gloria Soma, we honor the values of empowerment, justice, and peace that she steadfastly advances. She is a true champion for women and a beacon of hope for South Sudan and beyond.
Sources:
- Lizzy Davies, The Guardian: Profile on Gloria Soma and women healing South Sudan
- Feminist Giant newsletter: Coverage of Gloria Soma’s work and quotes
- The New Humanitarian: Interview with Gloria Soma on local aid and dependency
- CHS Alliance – Meet the Speakers (2024): Gloria Soma’s bio and leadership roles
- PAX for Peace (2022): Gloria’s insights on gender-based violence and advocacypaxforpeace.nlpaxforpeace.nl
- South Sudan NGO Forum: Titi Foundation mission overview
- AidEx Humanitarian Summit (2024): Gloria Soma’s participation as speaker
Citations

The fight against gender-based violence in South Sudan - PAX
https://paxforpeace.nl/news/the-fight-against-gender-based-violence-in-south-sudan/


The fight against gender-based violence in South Sudan - PAX
https://paxforpeace.nl/news/the-fight-against-gender-based-violence-in-south-sudan/


"