She understands the experience of being silenced.
Born into a family that did not support girls’ education, she had to remain at home while her brothers attended school. It was only after relocating to Khartoum with her uncle that she had the opportunity to study, albeit briefly.
“I was forced into marriage at 14,” Awrelia stated. “Even before that, some relatives criticized me for attending school. I fought to complete primary school, but couldn’t continue further.”
Despite this, she remained committed to the importance of education, especially for her daughters. “I want them to grow into responsible and successful women leaders. Something must change for girls.”
Widowed mother of eight
In South Sudan, where conflict and deep-rooted gender norms have shaped life for generations, change is gradual, yet women like Awrelia are leading it with bravery and resolve.
A widowed mother of eight, she has dedicated years to raising her children alone, often in challenging and uncertain situations.
“Their father passed away when they were very young. My eldest was still in primary school,” Awrelia recalls. “I’ve been raising them alone ever since.”
In her daily life, Awrelia constantly manages intricate family dynamics, scarcity, and stigma, but she persists. “People expect us to endure silently. Even when women attempt to seek help, no one responds.”
In public arenas, the challenges are even greater. Speaking ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women observed annually on 25 November, Awrelia described how women are often dismissed or ignored. “They say we’re just women, as if our voices don’t matter,” she expressed. “I stayed quiet for years because I was afraid to speak up.”
Transformative training
Even before she began speaking out, Awrelia was leading in her own way—fighting for her children’s education and maintaining her family unity. That strength grew when she joined a women’s leadership training organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Wau.
The training is part of IOM’s gender-transformative recovery program—a broader, locally led effort to enhance women’s leadership and ensure their participation in community decisions.
Across South Sudan, women’s groups and grassroots movements have long been preparing the ground for change. The five-day course builds on that momentum, providing women a safe space to reflect, learn, and develop together.
I learned that being a leader means treating others fairly and solving problems with patience. The training gave me the courage to stand up for myself. Now I know I can lead.
“I learned that being a leader means treating others fairly and solving problems with patience,” she stated. “The training gave me the courage to stand up for myself. Now I know I can lead.”
Back in her community, she applied her newfound confidence. Her local women’s group had almost dissolved, but she revived it. Now they meet regularly to support each other and share their challenges.
Though they lack funding for income-generating activities like sewing or catering, the group offers something equally powerful: solidarity.
Women run households
In many displacement-affected areas of South Sudan, women lead up to 80 percent of households.
In Wau, Bentiu, Malakal, and other areas where IOM runs the program, more women are stepping up. Those who once remained silent now speak at meetings, support survivors of violence, and build networks to share experiences and grow together.
Awrelia has noticed a change in how she is perceived. “People recognize me now,” she said. “During a meeting with chiefs and women leaders, they mentioned my name and honored me in front of everyone. It made me feel proud. The women I lead respect me, and I respect them.”
From homes to community halls, women like Awrelia are finding their voices and redefining what the future can be—for their daughters, their families, and their country.
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