A youth advocate from Bor County, Jonglei State has called on parents and communities to strengthen their support for girls’ education while encouraging young people to remain connected to their cultural identity and traditional values.
Speaking during an engagement with members of the Ateer community, Makuach Payam, Bor County, youth advocate Awur Madol highlighted the important role education plays in shaping the future of individuals, families, and communities.
Madol urged parents and guardians to ensure that girls are given equal opportunities to attend school, emphasizing that educating young women is a crucial step toward building stronger and more developed communities.
She described female education as more than an opportunity for personal achievement, noting that educated women contribute significantly to social progress, family development, and the overall advancement of society.
“Educating girls is not only about individual success but also about building stronger communities,”
Madol said, encouraging families to continue supporting young women as they pursue their academic goals.
While advocating for greater access to education, Madol also called on young women to carry their cultural identity with them, especially those who travel outside their communities or pursue studies abroad.
She warned against losing traditional values through the uncritical adoption of foreign practices that may conflict with South Sudanese culture, urging students to embrace learning while remaining proud of their heritage.
According to Madol, education should serve as a bridge between opportunity and responsibility — allowing young people to gain knowledge and skills while continuing to respect the traditions and values that shape their communities.
“Be exemplary,”
she told young women attending the gathering, reminding them that educated youth have a responsibility to become positive examples and inspire others through both their achievements and their character.
As conversations around education continue across South Sudan, Madol's message offers a reminder that empowering girls and preserving cultural identity are not opposing goals, but complementary foundations for the country's next generation.