Akuch Maker, a journalist at South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), has a message for women navigating public careers and household duties: Plan carefully, stay focused and don’t give up.
The broadcast journalist, who balances marriage, motherhood and a demanding media career, says clashes between work and family often arise when women lack clear schedules. She urges working women to create structured timetables to manage responsibilities effectively.
“Every day when you wake up, you must have a plan,” Maker said. “You know you are a housewife—you have duties at home, a family to care for—but you also have a career. To balance them, you need a strategy.”
She says organization fosters trust and collaboration between partners, easing tensions that can arise in male-dominated societies where women’s public roles are sometimes questioned.
“Having an understanding partner is crucial,” she said. “When someone supports your needs, you won’t face as many problems. It’s about collaboration between your work and your marriage.”
Maker acknowledges that criticism may come, but perseverance pays off.
“Relatives might pressure men, asking why they ‘allow’ their wives to work,” she said. “But if you do things right, even critics will eventually celebrate your success. Don’t mind the noise—focus, achieve your goals, and they’ll join you when you succeed.”
Overcoming Challenges
Success, she says, is never easy—but passion and resilience make it possible.
“Nothing in life is simple until you do it,” Maker said. “If you’re struggling in your career, stay passionate. For those facing tough times: Don’t give up. You might endure rejection, humiliation, blame—but maintain your standards and do what’s right, as long as it harms no one.”
She credits civic education for improving women’s inclusion in decision-making, contrasting today’s progress with past norms where women were often excluded.
“Women now have voices. We’re in media, government—there are places to seek help, like the Ministry of Gender,” she said. To combat discrimination, she urges women to “take the lead, seek help when needed, and demand fair treatment.”
A Refugee’s Journey to Success
Maker’s own path was marked by struggle. A former child refugee, she fled Sudan’s war in 1997 at age 6, growing up in Kenya’s Kakuma camp. After finishing high school in 2010, she married but continued her education, earning a journalism diploma, a bachelor’s in mass communication and pursuing a master’s degree in media studies in Kenya.
“One promise from my husband was that I’d return to school—and I did,” she said.
Inspired by media figures like Angelina Jolly and Jeff Koinange, she built a career in broadcasting, first at a production company before joining SSBC in 2022. Now hosting the political show Power House, she encourages young women to pursue education and careers despite obstacles.
Advocating for Greater Representation
Maker vows to push for expanded political representation, citing South Sudan’s 35% women’s quota—which has already produced a female vice president and parliament speaker—as a starting point.
“We’re proud to see women progressing,” she said. “It gives hope for a better tomorrow. Those trying to hold girls back are only dragging themselves down.”
Her final advice? “Be consistent, work hard—and never let go of your dreams.”