NORTHERN BAHR EL GHAZAL- There are some stories that wrap themselves around a reader’s heart.

When it comes to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), we are privileged to bring one of these gems to you today—meet Agel Diing Diing, a 26-year-old who had a rough start in life.

Born in South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, where the established patriarchy more often than not sees girls as inherently lesser than boys, Agel’s family pulled her out of school to get married when she was only 16 years old.

For those familiar with this country’s cultural context, this may not come as a surprise because it’s a familiar refrain.

But what sets Agel apart is that she didn’t let her unfinished education get in the way of her dreams.

This feisty 26-year-old decided that self-reliance depended on her being economically independent. She trained to be a hairdresser!

“I learnt how to style hair from my cousins,” she reveals with a smile. 

Almost instant popularity and financial stability followed, such was Agel’s talent in braiding hair.

But the most valuable outcome of her decision: She resumed her education in 2020, after separating from her spouse.

“I always wanted to study and while I was professionally stable, my personal life was rocky. This gave me the motivation to work and go back to school at the same time,” she recounts. 

Agel would study all day, returning to her salon in the evening to work, while juggling with childcare.

Today, this inspirational woman tells us, she has reconciled with her husband and their priority is co-parenting their children.

“Children are South Sudan’s future and we felt that we must work together to ensure that ours have every chance to succeed in life,” she states passionately.

Her message to parents across this country: “Education is key for us to build a prosperous and self-reliant future. Don’t rush your girls to marry, but instead motivate them to complete their schooling so they can support themselves and eventually, their families.”  

Looking ahead for a sustained peace, Agel, like many others, stands as a beacon of hope for women, not only in South Sudan, but the world over.