Eliana was only seven years old when she lost her father. It was 2007, and she did not yet know that from that moment on, the road to her dreams would become an uphill battle requiring all her courage. Today, on International Women’s Day, we want to share her story. Eliana, our student in Rumbek, South Sudan, is a remarkable example of tenacity and self-determination, which led her, on February 20, 2026, to finally hold her diploma in Midwifery in her hands.
An Uphill Journey
After the loss of her father, it was Eliana’s mother who had to fight alone to support her daughters—until a maternal uncle decided to take them in and help with their education. But the path was far from smooth: Eliana’s life became a constant struggle between her desire to study and the severe economic hardships of a family struggling to protect her.
Her Body as “Bargaining Chip”
Eliana’s real battle began in 2017. With the onset of her first menstrual cycle, her family declared that she was “grown-up”: according to tradition, she was ready for marriage, to be given in marriage to a cattle herder in exchange for a dowry. All her relatives agreed, but Eliana found a first, crucial ally: her mother. Thanks to her mother’s firm opposition, the marriage was canceled, and Eliana could continue her studies.
The pressure, however, did not end there. In 2019, after finishing secondary school, the story repeated itself. This time, the family conflict was so intense that Eliana had to hide for a full year, protected by a stepsister, until the suitor chose to marry another woman. For three years, Eliana remained idle, unable to study: her relatives’ “punishment” for refusing marriage was the withdrawal of all financial support.
Choosing to Care for Other Women
In 2022, Eliana’s life took a turning point. She applied to the RHSI (Health Sciences Institute), supported by CUAMM and UNFPA. She passed the exams and, with great determination, began the Midwifery program. It was the start of a new life, but once again she faced hostility from her clan: her relatives refused to pay her tuition. Only with the help of a cousin, convinced by her pleas, was Eliana able to return to her studies.
The Night Escape
The most dramatic moment came in December 2024. Returning home for the holidays after her second year of studies, Eliana discovered that her third arranged marriage was already planned. She was to become the thirteenth wife of a much older man.
One night, her family woke her and tried to drag her to the man’s house. Eliana pretended to comply, walking with them in the dark, but just a few meters from the groom’s enclosure, she found the courage to escape. She ran through the darkness to the home of the man she loved—the man she had chosen for herself.
Looking to the Future
As her program neared completion, Eliana prayed and studied diligently to finish her training. She is seeking employment to support her younger siblings, while her fiancé is currently covering the school expenses of Eliana’s younger sister.
Eliana recalls that, despite the “storm” surrounding her, she benefited greatly from the educational materials provided by UNFPA and CUAMM, the institute’s facilities, and the support of supervisors and tutors, who helped her remain strong and focused. Her dream is to continue her studies and earn a degree in Midwifery, if she can secure financial support.
On February 20, 2026, Eliana was among the students who successfully graduated in Midwifery. She is now ready to begin her career, despite being ostracized by her family. She is immensely grateful to her mother for her sacrifices, to her siblings, and to her fiancé, who never gave up and sacrificed everything—including his own education—to support her, unlike the rest of the clan. On this Women’s Day, her message is a cry of hope and resilience:
“I urge all girls to fight to defend their right to education: they must not allow anyone to leave them behind.”
