By Kidega Livingstone
Ministry of Youth and Sports as signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the international NGO, Plan International, which aims to empower young people in the areas of sports activities, peace, and gender equality.
The Partnership also aim to ensure that the rights of youth to participate and influence decisions on their rights are observed.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Minister of Youth and Sport, Dr. Joseph Geng Akech, expressed his confidence in Plan International’s extensive experience in working with young people especially in areas of sports and peace.
“We have many partners that are increasing the capacity of youth in the area of sport. Now, we are looking forward to implementing the ideas from Plan International, so we shall be able to engage them, and we have to make sure we have strong communication and sharing for better results,” said Dr. Geng.
He revealed that youth have a bigger number in terms of population that the government and the partners have to empower them in various activities.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Deborah Akech, also lauded the program, stating, “This is a great journey we are starting to benefit the youth.”
Plan International’s Country Director, Mohamed Kamal, reiterated the organization’s commitment to working with young people in South Sudan.
“This is our commitment in South Sudan to work with youth. We will continue to work with young people to empower them, especially in the areas of peace, gender, and equality,” he said.
Kamal also emphasized Plan International’s approach of using sports as a tool to promote and protect the rights of youth in the country.
“We want to reach them through sport by promoting them in sports activities in all the areas of our operation. We are here to promote and protect the rights of youth in this country,” he added.
Plan International, which has been operating in South Sudan since 2006, is an independent development and humanitarian organization committed to improving the lives of children, particularly girls, and advancing their rights.
Its work in South Sudan spans five states, including Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Lakes, Upper Nile, and Greater Pibor Administrative Area.
The organization supports children, particularly girls, in accessing their rights to education, health, protection, and economic security, while also working to bring lasting positive change to the country.