UPPER NILE – She may be only 27, but Mary Nyaluong Dhieu Kiir has already tasted professional success by becoming a Director at her state’s Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare. Doubling as Secretary-General for Upper Nile’s Women’s Union, she is still aiming higher.

“Friends have always encouraged me to not be just a follower but a contestant. Before, I was too young and inexperienced, but not anymore. Now I’m ready to compete and to win a political post that will give me more influence in the fight for women’s rights,” she says confidently, referring to the South Sudanese elections scheduled for December.

It’s easy to understand where Mary’s self-belief comes from. Unlike most women in South Sudan, her advocacy skills have been not only acknowledged but also tangibly rewarded.

“I used to work for our child protection department, but when the (state) government discovered that I’m good at inspiring and empowering girls and young women to take on leadership and entrepreneurial roles, they promoted me to my current job as Director.”

Mary’s tireless work to promote the rights of her sisters has paid off in more ways than one. Any visitor to a market, she says, will notice significantly more “women engaged in selling instead of just buying”, and her frequent interactions with military commanders have led to what she describes as “a relatively fair representation” of females in their structures.

Radio stations have turned out to become important partners when Mary tries to empower girls and women.

“The media always stand with us when we advocate for our rights in the community and the role we can play in leadership, and when working for peace and security. They are also happy about us talking about women’s right to 35 per cent political representation, as stated in the peace agreement, “she says.

Having discovered and understood the power of mass communication, Mary Nyaluong Dhieu Kiir makes the most of her media savviness, not least when it comes to promoting International Women’s Day and this year’s theme (Accelerate Gender equality through inclusion and access to productive resources for women and girls).

“Well, yes! What’s the point of hosting a radio talk show if you don’t use it for good causes, like gender equality? I have urged everyone to listen on 8 March, when we will celebrate the international day by talking about both the challenges women and girls face, not least gender-based violence, and how we can move forward together to improve our quality of life.”