South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Okech Francis
When life seemingly become tough for Deborah Yom Yuot, she turned to bricklaying to substantiate income for her family, a business which has now greatly enhanced her livelihood.
Live turned head over heels when the 40 year old woman, a mother to six children lost her husband, a civil servant in 2020 yet she vowed it would not suffocate her family.
Yout now owns a lucrative bricklaying business which employs several youths in Matok of Bor town, Jonglei’s capital.
“I felt I could engage in bricklaying so I started it up and I employed people and the business is going on well,” Yuot told The Dawn in an interview
After the bricks dry, she ensures they are burnt red to give an extra strong touch for building.
Brick laying is a work that most communities would not entertain women in in South Sudan which is a male dominated society.
Most work which are physically demanding are always set aside as for women while women are mostly entertained in the domestic household chores.
This in effect suffocates the talent of many women who would have talents in those physically demanding jobs, but for Yuot, she did not sit back.
“There is nothing called heavy work or sunshine which cannot be done – because if you need something to sustain you, you have to work,” Yuot said.
“There is a time you can be tired and there is a time a time you must work. If you are tired, you can take rest because your body is also important but work is very important and I hope that people will learn in South Sudan slowly slowly.”
Just like Yuot, many South Sudanese are making up for their livelihoods by engaging in enterprising activities to rebuild their lives after crisis. A peace agreement being implemented in the country has created peace and stability in the country, opening ground for economic activities including agriculture and businesses.
This month, the world celebrates women under the theme, “Invest in women: Accelerate progress,” a theme emphasizing the crucial role that investment in women plays in driving positive change and advancement in society.
Women are increasing leading fronts of driving economic growth, innovation, and social progress. From entrepreneurs and scientists to political leaders and grassroots activists, women show resilience, leadership, and creativity in overcoming challenges and shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Forbes reports that in China, women have even become a huge contributor to the GDP of the country.
“On aggregate, women now contribute some 41% to China’s GDP, a higher percentage than in most other regions, including North America. On the production side, they represent the best of China’s brain power and are propelling their country to new growth,” it said.
Many women in South Sudan, like Yuot, are also engaging in work which where predominantly designated by traditions for men.
She believes women are working a lot but would need support to lift them up successfully in South Sudan.
“Here in South Sudan, women are working but only they need small support from the NGOs or anywhere. They are willing to do something but their hands are short, they have nothing to do about it, but women are working hard,” Yuot said.
“My advice to women, you have to keep working because this South Sudan, without women, the men, without women, nothing will happen,” she said.
“So the women have to put their hands together to do something, to contribute to this country. Let us work, let us try what we can.”
