14 Oct 2024
Production of Sanitary Towels Locally at the Women and Girls…
Elizabeth, a community leader in Site B of Bentiu, South Sudan, has taken on the challenge of preventing early child marriage, a pressing issue in her community. Displaced by the 2021 floods, Elizabeth, along with nearly 9,200 others in Site B, faced the hardships of life in a displacement sites.
Instead of merely adapting to these challenges, she became an advocate for protecting young girls from early marriage, a practice that has worsened under the economic pressures of displacement in South Sudan.
Many displaced families, struggling with poverty, view early marriage as a way to alleviate financial burdens. However, Elizabeth works tirelessly to change this mindset, providing alternative solutions and keeping young girls in school.
This year alone, she has successfully intervened in four cases of early marriage, offering practical support to the families involved.
Elizabeth’s approach is deeply rooted in her understanding of her community’s cultural and social dynamics. Growing up in the same environment, she has a wealth of traditional knowledge, which she uses to engage families with empathy and respect.
Her insights into local customs allow her to connect meaningfully, ensuring her interventions resonate with those she serves.
The training Elizabeth has received through the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), supported by USAID, has further enhanced her abilities.
These programs have built on her traditional knowledge, equipping her with skills in conflict resolution, communication, and community engagement.
DRC’s capacity-building initiatives recognize the value of local expertise, supporting community leaders like Elizabeth to lead change from within.
Elizabeth’s approach, blending her cultural understanding with her enhanced skills, involves offering families alternatives to early marriage.
She connects them with resources to keep their daughters in school and promotes economic empowerment by encouraging women to join the Women and Girls Friendly Centers.
These centers offer activities like tailoring courses and sewing, providing families with options that do not involve pushing their daughters into early marriage. Her work is collaborative, ensuring that families feel heard and supported.
Living in the same site as those she serves has also made Elizabeth an effective leader. The shared experience of displacement builds trust, allowing her to engage with families on a personal level.
Her neighbors know she understands their struggles, making them more willing to listen and consider alternative solutions.
“I live in this community, so when I talk to people, they know I understand what they’re going through,” she says. “That makes them more willing to listen.”