Born into a family that did not believe in educating girls, she had to stay at home while her brothers went to school. It wasn’t until she moved to Khartoum with her uncle that she had the chance to study, but not for long.
“I was forced into a marriage at the age of 14,” Awrelia said. “Even before that, some relatives scolded me just for going to school. I fought to finish primary school, but I couldn’t continue.”
Yet she never gave up the value of education – especially for her daughters. “I hope they grow up to be responsible and successful female leaders. Something needs to change for girls.”
Awrelia at home in Wau.
Widow, mother of eight children
In South Sudan, where conflict and entrenched gender norms have defined life for generations, change comes slowly – but women like Awrelia live life with courage and determination.
As a widow and mother of eight children, she raised her children alone for years, often under difficult and uncertain circumstances.
“Their father died when they were very young. My eldest was still in primary school,” says Awrelia. “I’ve been raising them alone ever since.”
In her daily life, Awrelia must constantly deal with complex family dynamics, scarcity and stigmatization, but she perseveres. “People expect us to hold on in silence. Even when women try to get help, no one responds.”
In public spaces the challenges are even greater. Spoken in advance International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women Celebrated annually on November 25, Awrelia described how women are often dismissed or ignored. “They say we’re just women, as if our voices don’t matter,” she said. “I kept my mouth shut for years because I was afraid to say anything.”
© IOM/Geoffrey Sauke
Nearly 1,400 women in South Sudan have benefited from leadership training.
Transformative training
But even before she spoke out, Awrelia led in her own way, fighting for her children’s education and keeping her family together. That strength was further enhanced when she participated in a women’s leadership training organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) With me.
The training is included IOM’s gender-transformative recovery program – part of a broader, locally led effort to strengthen women’s leadership and ensure their participation in community decisions.
Across South Sudan, women’s groups and grassroots movements have long been laying the foundation for change. The five-day course builds on that momentum and provides women with a safe space to think, learn and grow 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 said. “The training has given me the courage to stand up for myself. Now I know that I can lead.”
Back in her community, she put her newfound confidence into practice. Her local women’s group almost went bankrupt, but she brought the group back together. Now they meet regularly to support each other and share their challenges.
Although they don’t have funding for income-generating activities like sewing or catering, the group offers something just as powerful: solidarity.
Women run households
In many displacement-affected areas in South Sudan, women head 80 percent of households.
In Wau, Bentiu, Malakal and other areas where IOM is implementing the programme, more and more women are coming forward. Those who were once silent are now speaking out at rallies, supporting survivors of violence and building networks to share experiences and grow together.
Awrelia has noticed a change in the way she is perceived. “People recognize me now,” she said. “At 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 centers, women like Awrelia are finding their voices and reshaping what the future can look like – for their daughters, their families and their country.
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