Plan International organised the Girls Takeover event in Juba to mark the International Day of the Girl Child. Two of our secondary students had the privilege of participating in the programme. Nancy Deng Monydit, one of the students, spoke about her experience:

I took over as the Country Director of the World Food Program (WFP). I met the Country Director in her office, and she officially handed me over her position for a day. During that day, I interviewed some of the heads of departments, had a meeting with the management team, and visited Gudele West Primary, a school that’s supported by WFP through school feeding. In the school, I had a discussion with the pupils concerning the challenges they face and possible solutions, and I also inspected the kitchen and helped to prepare the food.

The Girls Takeover initiative has allowed me to be part of the bigger picture in putting an end to early marriages in South Sudan and to be an advocate for all the girls in my school, community and country as a whole. I kept challenging the WFP staff to do more in protecting our rights as children and to invest more in our education so that every girl would be given the same opportunities as the boys.

As a girl born in a male-dominated world where our childhoods are sometimes robbed from us as we are forced to become wives and mothers at young ages, the Girls Takeover offered me a platform to say, ‘Enough is enough!’ on behalf of every girl in South Sudan. ‘We are not items for transaction. We are leaders.’

 

Akolde Angelina also took part in the Girls Takeover event. She speaks about how it was life changing:

My journey to Juba was a life-changing experience. On reaching Juba, we engaged in a variety of activities and interacted with very many different people. The reason for our travel to Juba was to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child under the theme “ENDING CHILD MARRIAGES AND UNIONS”.

The celebration was accompanied by activities, and one of the most important ones was the “GIRLS’ TAKEOVER”, where girls took over positions of high ranks in the country. I took over the position of David Ashley, British Ambassador, and Beth Cadaman, Deputy Head of Mission at the UK Embassy in Juba.

During the day, I chaired meetings and interacted with people and urged many officials to support girls’ education and safety. We not only had meetings but also mentorships from various women who shared their experience and their life stories. I came to know that the difficulties life puts us through do not define who we are, but our struggles, perseverance, hard work, and not giving up on our dreams speak more of who we are.

On the 15th of October, we were all invited to the Parliament of the Republic of South Sudan. I was finally in a place that I never thought I would see in my life. I was surprised by its magnificent building and awesome look. We had a session with the members of the parliament and the Honourable Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba. The session went on well, as we discussed issues relating to child marriages. It was concluded by signing the commitments by the members of the parliament to take over their roles and support girls of South Sudan.

My trip to Juba was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which has left a mark of change and bravery on me. It opened me up to events that I never dreamt of. Now, I can say, ‘Change doesn’t come in one day.’ I sat in those chairs not for my own self but for every girl in South Sudan, to present and advocate for girls’ education and stop early marriages. I urge every girl in different parts of the country to never give up their dreams and to always grab opportunities that come their way, for they knock only once.”

Pictures: WFP and Plan International South Sudan