Victoria Adhar Arop and New Sudan Women

By Abraham Awolich

March 8, 2007 — I would like to take this opportunity, to thank and appreciate all the women of New Sudan for their contribution to our struggle and their role in shaping our society. It is a common place in all societies around the world to ignore the contribution of women or simply play down or belittle their role in the society. I strongly believe that women play the central role in shaping the society and in maintaining the history of that particular society. Women’s perspective is very important for they know very well weakest part of our society and if placed in a decision making position, I trust women can make good decisions. They understand the challenges facing each family, each village and even the economic realities not theories. This day is international women’s day to celebrate the achievements and the contributions of women world wide. I particularly, I would like to seize this moment to appreciate all women of New Sudan for their contribution in our struggle and for saving the lives of many children during the conflict.

It is always important to point out some particular examples where women have contributed greatly so that they know their contribution is not forgotten. Women of Southern Sudan had joined the army in the early days in the famous battalion known as Katiba Banaat. Some of these women were in the frontline and the typical example was Ageer Gum who was the commander of Ger Ger. Late CDR Ageer Gum is well known in the army. My may God graciously rest her soul in peace. She deserves an honor and other women with outstanding contributions must all be honored and remembered.

I would like to extend my appreciation in particular to Victoria Adhar Arop. She is a woman that deserves a medal of honor for her contribution in the struggle. For those of you who do not know Victoria Adhar Arop, she was a medical doctor or a medical assistant in Dimma Ethiopia. She was 1st lieutenant in the SPLA now she must be a Brigadier. She played a great role from 1986 to 1994 in the lives of what was known as Jesha al Amer. Without her, many of us would have died of diseases, jiggers or fleas, wounds, childhood diseases and most importantly, from starvation. She was not just a doctor or a lieutenant in the army; she was indeed a great mother to all of us. She had come to know almost all of us by name and we greatly respect her and honor her for her bravery and deep sense of nationalism and patriotism.

Wherever you may be Victoria, I wish you can read this message. You are great and if you are still alive, we pray that God protect you and reunite you with us so we can each personally thank you and honor you for saving our lives. You are a true heroine and your heroic acts will not go without notice. We as a group (former Jesha Al Amer) will one day stand together to honor you for we have not forgotten the dirty work you did to save us and the sleepless nights you have had just to make sure that we were save and alive. I remember vividly those days in Pakook during the severe hunger; you never sleep just to make sure no one had passed away. We remember the feeding programs you organize just to make sure that not too many of us were malnourished. I remember those days when you made sure that none of us was lame from jiggers and fleas. I remember those days when you woke up in the middle of the night just to make sure that no one was beaten to death.

I know it was not an easy responsibility to be in charge of thousands of children whose parents were not around. It was too crazy with a bunch of teenagers living together with small kids of age 6 six to ten, but you managed it. If you weren’t there for us, most of us would have died. Thanks for being a mother to all of us and to the SPLA as a whole. Your work was not in vein. Some of those children you saved will now be the doctors, they will be the new commanders or generals in the army and some of them are business people while others will become professors. Others have already started their careers in teaching while some have sacrificed their lives to liberate our people. What a great contribution! Thank you for being there for us and for the people of New Sudan. I call upon the Government Of Southern Sudan and the SPLA in particular to honor Victoria Adhar Arop for her contribution during the black days of the SPLA and for saving the lives of the SPLM/A’s next generation. We want her to be honored on our behalf and on behalf of those who have died in the cause of our struggle. For other women who might have done the same as Victoria, I did not ignore you; I accorded you the same respect and honor.

Finally, I would like again to thank all the women of New Sudan for their contribution. I call upon all the people of Southern Sudan and other marginalized areas to honor our women for their great work. They have greatly contributed to our struggle by contributing their children, their husbands, their brothers and sisters to the army. They have cooked to the army, some of them where in the frontline while others took charge of the families while the men were away. Women in many cases have been humiliated, abducted, raped and dehumanized for our cause. This is the only time for us to come forward and give our thanks and honor them and even apologize to them for the horrors they endured through domestic violence.

I thank the government of Southern Sudan for taking appropriate measures to award the women of Southern Sudan 25% affirmative action in the government. This affirmative action must be strictly followed and as women excel, this affirmation action will become more important in other industries such as medical, law, corporations and other prestigious professions.

I would suggest that we create a medal in name of Victoria Adhar Arop which will be given every year or any time when it is appropriate or deserved. It should be given to a woman who has played a significant role in the lives of many in a heroic act. The medal should be called “Adhar Arop medal for a great mother of New Sudan.” I am not exaggerating, this woman has done a lot and many people would agree with me. I know too many people deserve a medal in Southern Sudan but this is a unique case and it would be the right place to start.

* The author is the Director of New Sudan Education Initiative and President of ALCOM. He can be reached at [email protected]