Women in South Sudan

Most days in South Sudan, Penny and I sat with the men. That is not what the South Sudanese women do. Women would appear with food and leave again. We did not have the chance to communicate with them as we thought we would, as few speak English.  More reflection is needed to make better sense of the situation but I’ve jotted comments that I hope give a flavour of women’s lives.

·         “We don’t usually listen to women”, a man said to Ruth after she preached.

·         An enquiry is made “Is anybody home?”  The answer is “no” if a man is not there even though women are at home.

·         Con holds a Masters of Law from a Dutch university. He said “We need high schools in some of the villages. The boys are sent to relatives in the town.  Girls are not allowed to go as their parents will not be able to control them.” (My interpretation – don’t jeopardise the bride price.)

·         Girls are valued. They bring wealth to the family through their dowries.

·         One woman is distressed. She only has sons. She has no daughter to bring a bride price to help marry her sons off. How can they afford to marry? They are of marriageable age.

·         Another rejoiced when she had a son after four girls. She now has somebody to care for her in her old age.

·         Another youngish woman said she was one of 10 children. Only 2 survive now.

·         Motherhood is highly valued. Clans are strengthened as children are born. A large clan can defend itself.

·         To be childless brings huge grief. Beyond the emotional side, the woman has failed to contribute to the welfare of the community.

·         The contribution of women in the war is highly valued. Soldiers were not paid. Women grew food where possible and kept the army fed as best they could.

·         Men may take as many wives as they can afford. They seem to be serious in providing for their multiple families. The husband lives with the newest wife. The role of wife seems a  lower priority than the role of mother.

·         Pastors are restricted to one wife in most churches.  Other Christian men follow that pattern.

·         Polygamy is an issue to be considered. There are many more women in South Sudan than men because of the impact of war. There is no social security.

·         Penny was quizzed closely about being a mature single woman.  To be an independent woman is beyond their belief.

Change is coming with peace and independence in this newest nation in the world. Many folk who were displaced during the war are returning. There is a deep desire for the nation to go forward. Women who return are different to those who stayed. Most who fled learned some English in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. Younger women did all their education there. Many have settled in Australia, USA and Canada. The women who stayed in South Sudan missed out on schooling or were taught Arabic, previously the official language.