South Sudan Institute for Women’s Education & Leadership (SSIWEL) FOCUS Area
It is said “the women of Southern Sudan and other disadvantaged regions in the Sudan are “the marginalized of the marginalized”. In recognition of the contribution of women during the war and the forgone opportunities they gave up in order to take care of their children, elders in families and community, and the wounded under extreme conditions of poverty not forgetting early marriages, cultural discriminatory laws, sexual and domestic violence and abuse and poor public health. For over 22 years of civil war in the Sudan, the women of Southern received no attention like their sisters in Darfur. Southern Sudan was a forgotten piece on earth.
United Nations and many of its affiliate organizations consider education as a human right issue, and gender equality in education is essential for sustainable development. As a result the international community has made education in general and girls’ education in particular a priority issues. However, the road to the realization of gender equality in education is still a long and difficult one. There are still traditional pockets of resistance. In addition the low status of women in the wider society, including their under representation in management and decision-making positions in the education field, have a negative impact on efforts to promote girls’ and women education. It is a known fact that higher education institutions play a strategic role in finding solutions to today’s leading challenges in the fields of health, science, education, renewable energies, water management, food security and the environment
Education and health-care Initiatives are two key factors which offer solution to combat social, cultural, and economic and health concerns women face in this globally changing environment, as well as the only mode to help promote the participation of women in every segment of development and capacity building in both government and private sector. The 25% allocated for women’s participation at the Comprehensive Peace is represented by well-prepared educated women. Without education, the women will not be able to equally and equitably compete with the men and participate in the current changing and challenging global market fully, which requires a well rounded academic background, and related achievements. South Sudan Institute for Women Education and Leadership takes the challenge to advocate for this segment of population, and hopes to develop short and long term projects to achieve its basic goals for Academic achievement for women and the general health care for both women and children.