BY MARK DENG
Until perhaps the turn of the 20th century, it was rare for women in Africa to participate in public affairs, especially politics. This owed largely to male supremacy which confined the roles of women mostly to the kitchen and child-rearing, and it still does to an extent in the 21st century Africa but it may vary from one society to another. The late Wangari Muta Maathai was internationally acclaimed for her fearless advocacy against male supremacy, challenging the traditionally held view that a ‘proper woman’−that is a woman that must have no other desires but to be a quiet and respectful ‘wife and mother’.
Additionally, a proper woman was not supposed to be educated. This is still a firmly held view in South Sudan, particularly in the Jieeng (Dinka) nation where girls are viewed as sources of (bride) wealth for their families and relatives. In fact, there is a common stereotype that “thukul e nya rac” literally translates into “school spoils a girl”, although this is dying out as more and more girls are attending school.
The rationale underlying the ‘spoiled girl’ perception is that her value depreciates, the practical implication being that she may not bring the expected amount of bride price to her family. The price can be in the range of 50 to 100 cows for a normal marriage, one that does not involve competition for a girl by suitors.
Still, women find the courage to shake off the shackles of the patriarchal system and achieve extraordinary things for themselves and for their people. One such courageous woman was the late Teresa Awien Dal Madut who made history as the first woman from Apuk-Padoc to serve in parliament, and one of the first few women to enter politics in Warrap State and in South Sudan as a nation. This piece is written in her honor, acknowledging her achievements and service to the community.
Early Life and Education
The late Awien was born in Tonj on 19 August 1956 to Dal Madut Mayen and Achol Akot Mayen from the Pakuacdiem Clan in the Agurpiny section of Apuk-Padoc. She started her schooling in 1962 in Aweil Primary School at the age of 6 and graduated from Aweil Primary School in 1970 and was admitted to (Bushere) Junior Secondary School in Wau in 1974. She moved to Juba Commercial Secondary School, one of the top high schools in Sudan at that time, in 1976, graduating in1980 with Sudan Certificate of Education.
Awien was an active student, and she was involved in sports in Sudan. In particular, she was a basketball player in the Sudan Women’s Basketball Team from primary school to secondary school. At one point, she represented Sudan in basketball tournaments in several countries including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Libya, and the United Kingdom. As a testament to the good leadership she had demonstrated, she was appointed the Secretary-General of the Sudan Women’s Basketball League.
Her leadership skills coupled with personal courage landed her in politics in the late 1990s in Sudan where there was hardly a space for women’s participation in public affairs. Gender inequality remains pronounced in Sudan as much as it has been historically.
Political Achievements
The late Awien was involved in politics at the highest level. She held various positions in government in both Sudan and South Sudan:
• She was elected to Sudan’s parliament from 1999 to 2003 and was subsequently appointed as a member of the Political Bureau of the National Congress Party. She held that membership until 2010.
• In 2010, she returned to Southern Sudan − a partially independent state then − and she contested the governorship of Warrap State but she lost to Nyandeeng Malek Delich. All was not lost, however. Governor Nyandeeng appointed her as the Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries. She served for three years in that position until 2012.
• In 2016, she was appointed as the Minister of Physical Infrastructure, Roads, and Bridges in the now-defunct Tonj State. She served in that position for ten months, the entire duration of Tonj State.
• In 2021, she was appointed as the Deputy Chairperson of the Warrap State Anti-Corruption Commission. She held that position until her death on 12 June 2023.
Her Service to Apuk-Padoc Community
Besides her political achievements, the late Teresa Awien served as the Community Leader of Apuk-Padoc from 2021 to 2023. As a community leader, she led various development projects, including drilling water wells. She also represented Apuk-Padoc in highly challenging issues, notably peace and reconciliation processes for Tonj North communities that occurred between 2020 and 2023 during which the inter-communal conflicts worsened.
Conclusion
The late Awien Dal was widely known as a fearless woman, yet she was humble in all her engagements in public affairs. That is, she was assertive and respectful − a demeanor that is not easy to maintain, given the heated nature of politics. It is her fearlessness that explains how she was able to overcome the odds of the patriarchal system and enter politics, making history as the first woman from Apuk-Padoc to serve in parliament in Sudan and South Sudan.
She certainly left an unfillable void, but she will live on through her achievements and services to her people. Indeed, she will remain a great source of inspiration for women, especially young girls who may be intending to enter politics in South Sudan. To any woman who may be having self-doubt about her ability to engage in public affairs in South Sudan, look up to Teresa Awien Dal. She did it, and you can do it, too.
Mark Deng is a McKenzie (Law) Postdoctoral Research Fellow based at the Melbourne School of Law, University of Melbourne –Australia. His research is at the intersection of South Sudanese public law, human rights, and customary law and practices. He is currently working on a book – Emerging Constitutionalism in South Sudan: Challenges and Opportunities – to be published by Hart Publishing in 2025.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.