To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, we’re spotlighting four staff members in South Sudan who are impacting their communities in roles traditionally considered male-dominated.
From a nurse in the remote area of Boma, to the head of community health in Renk, to a warehouse manager and AC technician in Juba, these women are helping to break barriers in their work with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF.)
Susan James Jokudu, warehouse supervisor in Juba
“My work is more than a job—it changes lives.”
I was born in Kajo Keji, South Sudan, in 1989, but my family fled to Uganda when I was 3 years old due to war. Life in Rhino refugee camp was difficult—sometimes we had no food for days, but my mother always found a way to provide for us. Education was a privilege few could afford, but I was determined to study. When I was in high school, my father passed away, leaving my mother to care for five children alone. Out of my siblings, I was the only one who made it to university.
I dreamed of becoming a doctor, inspired by the MSF teams I saw in the camp, but financial challenges made it impossible. Instead, with my elder brother’s support, I studied logistics. In 2015, I joined MSF as an order processor in the supply department, driven by a deep desire to give back. Seeing the MSF logo again in Juba, the same one I remembered from my childhood, felt like a calling.
Marline Loki, AC technician in Juba
“My goal is to help break barriers and show that women can excel in any field they choose.”
I joined MSF in July 2022, and my main responsibilities include the installation, servicing, and maintenance of air conditioning systems, as well as handling electrical work.
What inspired me to become an AC technician at MSF was hearing about its incredible history. When I learned about the organization's mission, I told myself, “Wow, I want to be part of that history!” That passion drove me to join MSF, even though, at the time, I didn’t know much about the field.
Akuol Elizabeth, head of community health workers in the Renk emergency project
“What motivates me the most is the love for the community.”
I lead a dedicated team of 10 community health workers who work tirelessly both at Renk Civil Hospital and throughout the community.
Every day, we go from household to household, identifying people in need, providing counseling, and referring those in need of urgent care to the hospital. We support children and lactating women at risk of malnutrition, while also delivering essential health education on vaccinations, hygiene, and disease prevention. Whether distributing mosquito nets, promoting hygiene in the wards, or conducting community surveillance, our goal is to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve.
Martha Korok, nurse and mentor in the MSF Academy
“When people see us working, they say, 'Oh, if a woman is educated, she can be even better than a man.'”
I am one of only four South Sudanese female nurses working in the town of Boma, in Greater Pibor Administrative Area. In our culture, many believe that a girl should not go to school, which is why we have so few educated women.
But we are proving that mindset wrong. We are an example for our communities. When people see us working, they say, “Oh, if a woman is educated, she can be even better than a man.” That is why I am so passionate about my work—I want my community to understand that women are important. We need more girls to receive an education.
