JUBA – South Sudan’s government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday launched six-month paid internship opportunities for recent graduates.
The internship program will bring onboard 200 interns to be recruited across the country.
The Women and Youth Leadership Programme is designed to empower young, educated, disadvantaged men and women to undertake paid internships, personalized mentorship, on-the-job skills training, and leadership training to benefit the larger South Sudanese society.
Speaking during the launch ceremony on Wednesday, Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, the Vice President for Gender and Youth Cluster, said aimed to develop to generate employment opportunities for uong men and women.
“As we launch the Women and Youth Leadership Programme, we are here to give our young women and men not just hope but a real chance to grow and gain experience. This initiative is more than just a program; it is a commitment to our future, and that future rests in the hands of our young people,” Nyandeng said on Wednesday during the launch in Juba.
For her part, Debora Akech, the undersecretary for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said the internship program aligned with the youth development policy awaiting approval in Parliament.
“The leadership program launched today supports the development of the next generation of young women and youth in South Sudan; there is no true development more effective than the empowerment of women and youth,” said Akech.
Mohamed Abchir, the country representative for UNDP, stated that the government-initiated program demonstrates unwavering dedication to empowering women and youth in South Sudan.
“This program marks a significant step in our collective efforts to invest in this great nation’s future through leadership, inclusivity, and economic empowerment via initiatives that will make a notable impact,” said Abchir during the launch of the program.
Abchir noted that the mentorship program seeks to build a generation of professional and empowered young people to strengthen both the public and private sectors.
“The Women and Youth Leadership Programme is designed to address imbalances by offering paid internships, personalized career mentorship, on-the-job skills training, and potential employment opportunities to our graduates,” he said.
Athieng Suzan, a graduate of business administration with a specialization in human resource management from the Catholic University of South Sudan, stated that the support is a critical investment in the future of the youth and women.
“This programme will help young people reach their full potential. As we can see in this country, there is a significant number of unemployed youths, and through this program, they can find direction,” said Suzan.
