Born and raised in Kenya, Caroline Waudo was raised by a pioneer—her mother, a respected primary school teacher was the first women to own and ride a bicycle in their community and an honoured community leader. Her grandmother was also a women’s leader and a midwife.

Caroline’s leadership skills can in some sense be part of her inheritance. “I remember people coming from near and far to meet with my mum and my grandma for advice, guidance and mentoring,” she reminisces. “I wanted to grow up and be like them.”

A human rights lawyer by profession, with a master’s degree in international human rights from Utrecht University, Netherlands, Caroline is the Head of the UNMISS Field Office in Torit. “I joined United Nations Peacekeeping because I wanted to be part of the collective voice for change and emancipation of women and girls,” she reveals.

Her career within the UN is testament that Caroline is well on her way to achieving her goals. Her professional exposure in the UN system has taken her to Timor-Leste, undivided Sudan and now, South Sudan. She was also a United Nations Volunteer with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

“Peacekeeping isn’t an easy job. You have to develop resilience and patience if you want to make a lasting difference,” she states. “My day starts at 6 am with prayers and a workout. After that I plunge right into work.”

Interacting with local authorities, uniformed personnel and community leaders are part of an everyday routine as is keeping abreast of current affairs and political developments in the world’s newest country. The evenings are usually devoted to speaking to her family and 11-year-old daughter.

“My daughter is the reason why I don’t believe in any sort of a glass ceiling,” Caroline reveals with a smile. “Women have excelled in every high position they have held, not just in the UN but also in governments across the world. I believe that we possess a unique blend of decisiveness and teamwork which makes us able to navigate very complex situations adeptly,” she continues.

“I’ve never personally felt that my gender excludes me from exploring any professional opportunity. But I have faced resistance from men and women I have worked with,” she admits ruefully. “Many people hold stereotypical notions that a woman cannot lead or find it difficult to work under a woman leader. I’m honest—I’ve encountered stiff trust issues from other women.”

How does she deal with the naysayers? “With patience, diplomacy and sometimes, I conceal an iron fist under a velvet glove,” Caroline says laughing.

Her dearest wish – for her daughter to be whatever she wants to be. “Gender equality isn’t merely a concept. It’s a reality that should be at the core of every human interaction. I have seen firsthand that women and young girls suffer the most from inequities and conflict.

What I want is a world where my daughter and all our daughters are treated as equals and with respect.”

Caroline is a firm believer that women are drivers of change. “Take the example of South Sudanese women—so many of them have actually talked down their sons, brothers, husbands and fathers from engaging in conflict. I am consistently humbled by their resilience,” she states.

In her opinion, the women of South Sudan deserve to be empowered, be able to influence decision making and be economically independent. “Women here are forced into underage marriages, rape is used as a weapon of war and they have little or no education,” says Caroline.

“This has to stop. South Sudan cannot hope for a peaceful, prosperous future without the equal, free participation of all its women at the political table and within society.”