Gender Equity through Education in South Sudan

The past few months have been a busy time for the GEE program, with a number of scholarship, mentoring, and institutional support activities conducted throughout South Sudan. Since October 2011, GEE has provided financial and material incentives to over 30 secondary school students; delivered more than 2,500 learning materials to students, including information on puberty, health and HIV/AIDS; conducted leadership training for South Sudanese education officials; facilitated a National Gender Awareness Raising Workshop that generated state-level action plans and policy recommendations; and supported the South Sudanese government in the training of mentors for secondary school students.

Among the scholars that GEE helped is 22-year old Rebecca Abul Majak.  Rebecca struggled with ostracization by local community members because of her disability. With the support of GEE, which provided her with financial incentives and sanitary pads and other hygiene items, Rebecca fought through, completing secondary school and enrolling in university at South Sudan’s Jonglei State.  Now a primary school teacher, Rebecca is appreciative of GEE’s assistance. 

“GEE really helped me by providing me with pads and paid part of my school fees in 2009 and 2011,” Rebecca said. “If this project can continue in Jonglei State, it will make a great impact in the future.  My state has great illiteracy in South Sudan, especially among women.  And the project has helped in promoting girls’ education in my school.”