The Chairperson of the Women Bloc of South Sudan and Deputy Chairperson of the IGAD Women, Peace and Security Platform, Amer Manyok Deng, has issued a powerful Labour Day message recognizing the vital yet often overlooked role of women and youth in nation-building.
In her statement titled “Celebrating the Strength and Resilience of Women and Youth – Girls and Boys – in South Sudan and Africa,” Amer Deng highlighted the tireless labour that women and girls perform daily—often without recognition or compensation.
“From dawn to dusk, women shoulder the responsibilities of family and community care—preparing meals, fetching water, caring for the sick and elderly, and keeping households afloat under extremely difficult conditions,” she said. “These acts of labour, rooted in love and resilience, have been the silent force behind our liberation and state-building journey.”
She further praised women working in markets, schools, health facilities, farms, and across the informal sector, noting their strength and honesty despite limited resources. Girls and boys, she added, show equal resilience—walking long distances to school, supporting their families, and daring to dream of a better future.
Despite these efforts, Amer Deng pointed out that women continue to face systemic challenges such as unequal pay, discrimination, gender-based violence, and underrepresentation in leadership.
“As we mark Labour Day, let us not only rest but recognize and honour the invisible and visible labour of women and youth. We must recommit to protecting their rights and ensuring their voices are heard,” she said.
Amer concluded with a call to action: “We rise because they rise. We are stronger because of their strength. Happy Labour Day.”
