Hon. Diako Pauline, member of parliament in Western Equatoria State Assembly - COURTESY

Meet Diako Pauline, the female lawmaker who declared war on women’s illiteracy in her constituency in Western Equatoria State.

It is one thing for a woman to be in an influential position but it is quite another to uplift another woman or provide a platform to read and write.

Diako is one of those women who are supporting fellow women.

The state assembly member of parliament launched an adult education program to educate women in Asanza Boma of Yambio County.

Pursuant to her uncommon desire to eradicate illiteracy in her constituency Hon. Pauline recently impacted positively on the lives of fellow women.

This happened after she hired two English teachers from her saving to teach English to at least 60 participants 40 of whom are women in her constituents.

The state Parliamentary member, Diako says the majority of the learners are women.

The average aged of the participant between 20-40 years old

She added that they will be teaching English and mathematics and the course pried will be for three months.

“I started this program at Asanza Boma Yambio County. it came as a result of a request from the women in the community,” said Hon. Diako.

“About 40 women called me their major concerns were they illiterate and they don’t know how to read and write,” she said.

“Others [women] said they find it very hard to participate in any workshop or anything has to do with reading and writing.”

“I decided to save some money to pay the salaries of the two teachers,” she said.

“I look for support from the Ministry of Education and other concerned ministries and stockholders they supported me with some educational items.”

Hon Diako called for support for the initiative to continue. She saves some money to pay for the teachers’ salaries

She says the class will start on Monday with 60 learners 40 women and 20 men.

“The classes will start on Monday the majority of learners are women some of them are mothers. even men asked to join the classes,” said Hon. Diako.

“Up to now, we registered about 60 participants about 40 women and 20 men. The age average of the youngest one is 2o years old and the elder one is above 40 years old,” she said.

“The first session will last for three months then they will do the examination.”

“In the long run, for this initiative to mature as the dream, I will need more support and the construction classroom.”

“The financial support will go to the teacher’s salary because depending on my personal saving will not last.”

Some of the women participating in the adult school express their feelings.

Joice Philp Bolen, one of the women who enrolled in an adult education class says she is happy to join the class.

“A school for adult education has been opened here, and I am very happy because from my birth until the death of my father and mother, I did not receive any education,” said Bolen.

“This school will help me in life by providing job opportunities and helping our children,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries is a 30-year-old mother who described the opportunity as one of the best that has ever happened in her life.

“I am very happy because I finally found an opportunity for education now,” said Anna Sita Gbanda.

“I am a mother and an adult in the year and I have children and I am developing the continuation of this educational program Before, I didn’t know anything about the alphabet, but now I know how to write A,” she said.

Another woman at the school says this is a turning point in her life since she never went to school in all her life.

“I never went to school before, but now I am happy because I can write the alphabet. I hope that education will help me in my future life,” said Monica.

South Sudan’s literacy rate for 2018 was 34.52%, a 7.69% increase from 2008.

On the International Day of Literacy in 2022, the UN children’s agency, UNICEF says South Sudan’s literacy rate may have not improved much in recent years due to multiple challenges the country has been enmeshed in.

Experts have defined literacy as the ability of an individual to read, write and speak effectively, as well as make sense of the world around them.