In a powerful display of ambition, Juba Day Secondary School became the center of a transformative event on March 25, as students from four local secondary schools gathered for the much-anticipated Inter-Schools debate competition

The debate focused on gender and social norms. The global theme of the event,” For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment’—resonated deeply in South Sudan, where only 37% of girls progress to secondary school according to UNESCO statistics. Barriers such as poverty, early marriage, and a deeply entrenched culture of gender inequality often stifle dreams. Compounding the crisis, UN reports indicate that over half of women in the country experience gender-based violence in their lifetimes. For the participants, these challenges are not mere statistics; they are personal stories that fuel their passion and resolve.

With support from UNFPA, The Shabab Le Shabab Health Alliance, a local initiative advocating for youth-led health and equity, meticulously organized the event, transforming it from a postponed occasion into a vibrant movement.

The debate was electrifying as a 16-year-old student from Martyrs Memorial passionately argued that education is not a privilege but a powerful tool for dismantling inequalities, speaker after speaker Jane Kide, from Bright Boma School challenged her peers by articulating the negative impacts of stereotypes on societal progress. 

“This isn’t just a debate; The topics you will be debating today are not just academic exercises. They are real-life issues that affect the lives of women and girls in South Sudan and around the world’ for empowering women and girls, for tearing down barriers, for building a healthier tomorrow.” , said  UNFPA program specialist , Emmanuel Changun drawing a thunderous applause from the crowd 

The debate set the tone for meaningful youth engagement, as South Sudan is healing from the scars of war, scarce resources, and deep-rooted traditions, as one student said,

“The youth of Juba are no longer waiting for permission or assistance, they are debating, dreaming, and taking action” 

Initially postponed due to scotching heat wave, the debate ultimately proved to be a good platform for youth advocacy and empowerment.

The atmosphere was fan-packed, educative and full of enthusiasm from students, officials from the State Ministry of General Education and State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social welfare and alliance partners