She Stands Women’s Museum in South Sudan is seeking stronger partnerships to preserve the history of South Sudanese women and their contributions to the country's liberation and development. The museum's founder, Anok Mayardit, made the call during the Museum's Annual Diplomatic Partnership and Networking Luncheon, which brought together senior government officials, diplomats, and civil society leaders. The event aimed to explore opportunities for collaboration in preserving and promoting South Sudanese women's heritage.
Mayardit emphasized that documenting women's history is essential to understanding South Sudan's national identity and building an inclusive future. She noted that the country's history cannot be complete without recognizing the women who sustained communities, contributed to the liberation struggle, and preserved cultural traditions. The museum was established to address the historical gap in documenting women's experiences, which are often underrepresented or preserved only through oral traditions.
The museum aims to establish a permanent institution where women's experiences can be documented, preserved, researched, and shared with present and future generations. Mayardit said the institution will serve as a learning and research center where schoolchildren can learn about women who shaped the country, and researchers can access historical information at risk of disappearing. The museum also seeks to inspire women and girls to recognize their role in shaping the country's present and future.
Mayardit called for stronger cooperation with embassies, international organizations, universities, museums, and cultural institutions to strengthen the Museum's institutional capacity and increase the international visibility of South Sudanese women's history. She identified priority areas for potential partnerships, including oral history documentation, archival preservation, digitization, and academic research. The museum also seeks help in identifying and accessing historical photographs, documents, and research materials held in foreign archives and private collections.
A veteran and women's rights advocate, who spoke on behalf of women who participated in the liberation struggle, welcomed the recognition of women whose sacrifices and contributions had largely been overlooked in the country's historical narrative. She commended Mayardit for creating an institution dedicated to preserving their experiences and ensuring that women who fought alongside men are recognized as part of the country's liberation history.
Government officials have welcomed the Museum's initiative, commending Mayardit for establishing an institution that will preserve women's heritage and strengthen national cultural preservation efforts. The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Museums and National Heritage, Dr. Julia Amon, described women as foundational to South Sudan's development, while the Caretaker Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Maj. Gen. Ayor Akuoch Anok, emphasized the importance of documenting women's contributions to the liberation struggle.
The museum's initiative has been recognized as an important step in preserving South Sudan's liberation history and promoting the country's cultural heritage internationally. With the support of national and international partners, the museum aims to document women's experiences across all 64 tribes of South Sudan, ensuring that the country's historical record reflects its cultural diversity and the contributions of women from different communities.
Key points
- The museum seeks partnerships to document women's contributions to South Sudan's liberation and development.
- The institution aims to inspire women and girls to recognize their role in shaping the country's present and future.
- Government officials have welcomed the initiative, recognizing its importance in preserving women's heritage and promoting national cultural preservation efforts.
