United Nations or UN Women and the South Sudan Women’s Peace Network marking the International Women’s Day, honoured ten South Sudanese women as ‘heroines’ in Juba for their extraordinary achievements.
The extraordinary occasion was under the theme ‘Ordinary women who have done extraordinary things’, which ranged from singing and teaching to entering politics, fighting in the civil war and searching for landmines.
UN Women representative Izeduwa Derex-Briggs said they want to recognize that women played a key role in the birth of the country, adding that alongside the male heroes; there were some heroines who shed their blood.
She said the word ‘ordinary’ was used, describing the women because they held no titles or positions.
UNMISS chief Ellen Loej explained that the event would provide an opportunity to honour the too often neglected accomplishments of South Sudanese women in every area of endeavour by capturing significant contributions women made.
Telecommunications Minister Rebecca Joshua said South Sudan could not have achieved its independence without women’s hard work, encouraging them to work harder for stable country and to implement things that they are hired to do.
One of the heroines, Nancy Sunday, who operates a demining vehicle, dismissed the notion that her job might be considered men’s work affirming that any work is for anybody whether men or women.