Empowering Women: Mentoring Young Women for a Sound Leadership

On a race to build young women for sound and sustainable leadership roles, the National Press Club – South Sudan (NPC-SS) channeled a one-day mentorship workshop for young women in Juba. The event richly focused on moistening young women’s leadership, political participation, decision-making, and peace-building ambitions, and preparing them for strategic leadership

Hon. Joseph Kido, Director General of the Ministry of Peace Building, stressed the importance of mentorship session in enabling young women to discover their potential as change agents. He underscored the need to expanding the spectrum of mentorship to a nationwide program in order to help young women join political parties effectively.

Mrs. Delphina Roba, NPC deputy chair lamented on the low representation of women in both state and national governments. “There is only one female governor in the ten states and no Area administrator in the three administrative areas.” Roba said. According to her, mentoring the young women would advance gender equality agenda and address the challenges of violence against women in politics and leadership.

The one-day mentorship event directly impacted over 15 young women who are exposed to substantial challenges while pursuing leadership and political participation at national and state parliaments, academic institutions, and civil society.

NPC-SS engaged prominent and active women leaders such as Hon. Lona James Elia, Justice Ajonye, and Hon. Jackline Gaza to mentor the young women on relevant aspects. These mentors devoted significant time to expound on their experiences and knowledge, tackling both public and private lifestyle which is invaluable for the young women.

After the session, participants admitted being empowered to overcome the challenges limiting their political and leadership ambitions. Hon. Diana Richard Wani, a member of Central Equatoria State parliament said she had faced considerable intimidation from her male partners which pushed her to think of abandoning politics.  Another participant, Ms. Nancy Akanyo, a literature teacher at St. Lawrence Academy who has been living with the concept that politics is a dirty gam expressed interest in joining politics. “I was wrong all along,” Akanyo confessed.

The mentorship session which was organized by NPC-SS with support from Peace-building Fund through UN Women marked a new life for the young women’s polical and leadership ambitions.

Hon. Joseph Kido, Director General of the Ministry of Peace Building; Mrs. Delphina Roba, NPC deputy chair; Hon. Lona James; Hon. Nyanachiew and participants in a group photo. Photo Credit: NPC/Moses Ayume

Young Women and facilitators during the Mentorship session. Photo credit; NPC/Moses