International Women's Day: Highlighting national female staff in South Sudan
4 March 2025
Celebrating Women’s Impact in South Sudan - International Women’s Day, March 8
This International Women’s Day, March 8, we highlight the incredible women of MSF in South Sudan, who are breaking barriers and making a profound impact in their communities. From technicians to health leaders, these women are inspiring change and challenging norms. Read on to learn more about their powerful stories.
Marline Loki, AC technician in Juba
My name is Marlindo Kifranco Ani, and I am a specialized technician at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Juba, South Sudan. 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 organisation'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.
Since joining, I have learned so much. MSF has provided me with the training and experience to become capable of handling all aspects of my work. I even had the opportunity to travel to South Africa for specialized training in air conditioning and refrigeration. The experience I gained, especially from working in field projects, has given me confidence. Now, I no longer fear any challenges—I know I can handle tasks on my own! MSF has truly helped me build my capacity and shaped me into a skilled professional.
What I love most about my work is installation and servicing. This is a career path I chose for myself, and that freedom makes me happy every day. However, not everyone has been supportive. Some people try to discourage me, saying that this kind of work is meant for men. But when I reflect on my journey and see what I have accomplished, I remind myself that this is my choice. I am determined to complete my mission.
Looking ahead, I aspire to become a logistics coordinator in the coming years. I also hope to share my knowledge with fellow women in the community, encouraging and empowering them to pursue technical careers. If I can do it, they can too. My goal is to help break barriers and show that women can excel in any field they choose.
Akuol Elizabeth, MSF Head of Community Health Workers in the Renk Emergency Project
My name is Akuol Elizabeth, and I am the Head of Community Health Workers in the Renk Emergency Project with MSF. I lead a dedicated team of ten community health workers (CHWs) 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 counselling, and referring those in need of urgent care to the hospital. We support children or 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!
Beyond care delivery, I ensure that my team continues to grow and improve. I organize monthly training sessions to strengthen their skills, and every first Wednesday of the month, we come together to review our progress and discuss challenges. The work is not easy—floods, conflict, and trauma have deeply affected this region—but I remain committed to doing everything I can to ensure the best outcomes for the people of Renk.
What motivates me the most is the love for the community. Giving health messages to someone means a lot - you have changed the entire life of someone.
My team and I are at the forefront of the MSF Renk emergency response, providing much needed support to those who need it most. Despite the challenges, we continue to push forward because we know that what we do saves lives.
Martha Korok, Nurse in Boma
My name is Martha Korok, and I am one of only four South Sudanese female nurses working in the town of Boma, in Greater Pibor Administrative Area. Even in the MSF Academy, we are very few women. 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.
I joined the MSF Academy for Healthcare, and now I serve as a mentor to nurses in the academy and a role model to young women in Boma. It makes me proud to know that I am part of this change.
I love being with patients because this is my work, my calling. I serve my community and my home, and that is what makes me happy.
Men have traditionally dominated the field of nursing in South Sudan, but that is changing. And I am proud to be part of that change.
Susan James Jokudu, Warehouse supervisor in Juba
I was born in Kajo Keji, South Sudan, in 1989, but my family fled to Uganda when I was three due to war. Life in the 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.
In my community, women in MSF are often associated with roles like nursing or midwifery—logistics, mechanics, and driving are seen as jobs for men. I challenge these stereotypes, telling young women that gender should never limit what they can achieve. In 2024, I applied for a warehouse supervisor position, competing against five men. I worked hard, prepared thoroughly, and proved that women can excel in any role.
Before starting with MSF, my journey had not been easy—I once worked night shifts washing dishes just to support my family. My late brother sacrificed his own education to fund mine, and though he passed away before we could fulfil our dream of him returning to school, I now ensure his children get the education he wanted.
My work is more than a job—it changes lives. I’ve visited MSF projects and seen mothers receiving hygiene kits we packed, children getting life-saving medicines we shipped. These moments remind me why my job matters. I’m proud of how far I’ve come and hope to grow further in MSF, pursue a master’s degree, and take on international assignments to make an even greater impact.
Help us provide vital medical care to those who need it most.
