National Girls’ Education Day in South Sudan – 2024

Today marks a momentous occasion: the 20th anniversary of National Girls’ Education Day in South Sudan. This day is pivotal for the future of our nation, highlighting the critical importance of educating girls.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also honor a decade of progress made by the Girls’ Education South Sudan (GESS) programme. Established on July 7, 2004, by the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior, this day serves as a constant reminder to prioritize girls’ education.

Each year, this celebration underscores the vital role of girls’ education in promoting their rights and opportunities. It focuses on empowering girls with education and skills, enabling them to reach their full potential.

Reflecting on the past 20 years, we recognize significant advancements in girls’ education. However, challenges remain, including cultural and societal barriers such as early and forced marriages. These issues are particularly severe for girls with disabilities. Our celebration today is also a call to continue advocating for educational access for all.

In the last ten years of the GESS programme, we’ve witnessed remarkable progress in girls’ education, with increased enrollment, retention, and completion rates. These improvements, however, vary across regions due to ongoing violence that disrupts schooling.

In 2014, South Sudan had only 353,133 girls in primary schools. By 2023, this number soared to 1.1 million—three times higher than a decade ago. Additionally, more than 80,000 girls enrolled in secondary school in 2024, compared to fewer than 20,000 in 2014.

GESS’s interventions continue to be instrumental in these gains, including:

1. Behaviour change communication: Through radio and community outreach, GESS fosters a supportive socio-cultural environment for girls’ education.
2. Cash transfers: Regular financial support to girls attending school helps them afford essential items and reduces poverty within families and communities.
3. Capitation grants: Reliable funding to schools eliminates registration fees, encouraging families to send their children, especially girls, to school.

How can you support girls’ education?

As we celebrate this year’s achievements, we call upon parents and guardians, teachers, community leaders, and policymakers to sustain their support for girls’ education. The government must take a leading role in this endeavour. Every girl deserves the chance to learn, dream, and contribute to South Sudan’s development.

20 years ago, Dr. John Garang de Mabior lit a candle for girls’ education, urging us to “keep the candle burning”. GESS firmly believes that education is the key to giving every girl the opportunity to contribute to national development.

An educated girl not only transforms her own life but also the future of her nation. Let us unite, ignite that flame, and champion girls’ education. For in educating a girl, we empower a nation!

Categorised in: GESS Events, Girls' Education