By Matik Kueth
The Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng, underlined the critical need to empower both young women and youth in South Sudan, arguing that no country can progress without women and youth.
Speaking at the launch of women and youth project in Juba on Tuesday, Nyandeng noted that 72 percent of South Sudan’s population are youth and emphasized the need to invest in young people to ensure national progress.
“Over 72% of our population is made up of young people. And more than half are women. You are not a small group. You are the great majority. And when we invest in you, we invest in the strength of the entire country. Too many of our young people, especially young women, face obstacles, barriers to employment, outdated gender practices, and systems that were not built with women in mind. But let me tell you this. No country can move forward without its women. No nation can develop without its youth. That is why this program matters,” Nyandeng stated, encapsulating the importance of the project.
She emphasized the transformative potential of the initiative, which aims to open doors for young South Sudanese to thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Nyandeng acknowledged that many young South Sudanese face obstacles, including barriers to employment, outdated gender practices, and systems that fail to support women.
“This initiative is more than just a program. It is a commitment for our future. And that future rests in the hands of our young people. I know that many of you here today are eager, ambitious, and ready to work. Yet opportunities can seem few and far between. I also know the frustration of wanting to contribute but feeling like doors will not open. That is why we are here today to change that. To give our young women and men not just hope but a real chance to grow, to gain experience, and to lead,” she said.
However, she reassured participants that the initiative is designed to facilitate their entry into the workforce.
Nyandeng added, “You see, sometimes the most important thing is simply to get your foot in the door. This program is a foot in the door. And once you are inside, it is up to you to show up, to learn, and to prove yourself. Take every task seriously. No matter how small, the best leaders are not those who wait for the perfect opportunity, but those who take what they have and make the most of it.”
The Vice President further urged stakeholders, partners, and NGOs to join in their effort to create more job opportunities for the youth of South Sudan, reiterating the importance of collective action in paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.