Zabib Musa Loro

Zabib Musa Loro serves as the Executive Director of Women for Justice and Equality (WOJE), bringing over a decade of transformative leadership in gender programming, policy advocacy, and human rights defense. Her unwavering commitment to advancing women's rights has earned her international recognition, including the prestigious 2025 US International Women of Courage Award from the US State Department and the 2023 Outstanding Woman Human Rights Defender Award.

As a gender specialist with comprehensive expertise spanning Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) prevention and response, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), women's economic empowerment, and human rights advocacy, Zabib has been instrumental in driving systemic change across South Sudan. Her leadership extends beyond WOJE, having previously served as Chairperson of the Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS Service Organizations (EANNASO) and the Network of AIDS Service Organizations in South Sudan (NASOSS), where she coordinated regional and national HIV/AIDS response initiatives.

Zabib's academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, complemented by specialized diplomas in Development Studies, Islamic Studies, Gender Studies, and Leadership. This diverse educational background, combined with her extensive field experience, has positioned her as a leading voice in the Maputo Protocol ratification advocacy, working tirelessly to ensure South Sudan's commitment to the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.

Under her visionary leadership, WOJE has evolved from a grassroots movement into a nationally recognized organization that has impacted over 110,000 lives through comprehensive programming in protection, health, peacebuilding, governance and justice, and economic empowerment. Her strategic approach to institutional development and her commitment to evidence-informed advocacy have strengthened WOJE's capacity to drive transformative change while building sustainable partnerships across civil society, government, and international development sectors.

Beyond her organizational leadership, Zabib has served as Coordinator of the Civil Society Security Sector Reform Network, demonstrating her commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and democratic governance. Her work in this capacity has contributed to strengthening civil society engagement in security sector reform initiatives, ensuring that women's voices and perspectives are central to peace and security discussions in South Sudan.

Zabib's recognition as a 2025 US Women of Courage Award recipient underscores her exceptional courage and leadership in advancing women's rights and human rights in challenging circumstances. This international acknowledgment reflects not only her individual achievements but also the collective impact of WOJE's work under her guidance, as the organization continues to be a beacon of hope and transformation for women and girls across South Sudan.