Promoting a safe, responsive sexual reproductive health rights environment for girls and women in Juba, South Sudan Project

Empowering Minds, Transforming Communities: The Journey of Zeina Abdaya

Zeina Abdaya

Figure 1: “The more we become knowledgeable, the more we can advocate for our rights,”

“The more we become knowledgeable, the more we can advocate for our rights,” says Zeina Abdizaya, a mother from Gumbo in Rajaf Payam, South Sudan. Today, Zeina stands as a symbol of resilience, empowerment, and advocacy, thanks to the training provided by Jamnel Care Organization.

South Sudan faces significant challenges in ensuring the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls. Ongoing conflict, weak healthcare infrastructure, and socio-cultural factors have created barriers to accessing essential Sexual, reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. SGBV, which includes rape, sexual assault, forced marriage, and domestic violence, directly violates the SRHR of women and girls, hindering their mental well-being, decision-making abilities, and reproductive health.

Zeina Abdizaya joined a training program conducted by Jamnel Care Organization, which aimed to empower women and girls to recognize their SRHR as fundamental human rights and equip them with skills to advocate for these rights. Through the training, Zeina learned how to take care of her daughters and better advise them on making informed decisions about their reproductive health and rights.

“For the mothers, we have learned how to advise the young girls, the good and the wrong,” says Zeina, nodding with satisfaction. She explained how the training had taught her how to handle financial problems, save money, and take responsibility for her family. The knowledge gained from the training was empowering, leading to better communication and understanding between her and her husband.

The training also emphasized the importance of gender equality and the need to stop early and forced marriages, a form of SGBV. “A house belongs to a woman, but gender equality should prevail in a family,” emphasizes Zeina. She expressed gratitude for Jamnel Care Organization’s inclusion of men and boys in the training, making them allies in the struggle for gender equality and SRHR.

Today, Zeina Abdizaya stands as an inspiration to all, demonstrating the power of education, advocacy, and solidarity. She has emerged as a potent advocate for SRHR, working towards a society where women and girls are respected and protected. “Thanks to Jamnel Care for all teaching, our men and boys have learned,” says Zeina. “If Jamnel Care has other trainings, you are most welcomed again to Rejaf Payam. What we have been learning, we did not know before, but now we have learned.”

Zeina Abdizaya’s journey reminds us that through solidarity, education, and advocacy, we can create a world where women and girls are empowered to realize their potential and make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.