The Achol Philip Foundation officially unveiled She Stands Women’s Museum, the first ever women’s museum in South Sudan. Dedicated to honoring, celebrating, and preserving the achievements of South Sudanese women, the media launch aptly titled “Witnessing Her Story” drew an esteemed crowd of senior government officials, community leaders, and powerful women from across the nation.
The atmosphere was one of profound reverence and celebration as South Sudanese women veterans gathered to witness a milestone dedicated entirely to their legacy and the legacies of those who walked before them.
Honoring a Legacy of Liberation
The museum is a flagship initiative of the Achol Philip Foundation, a non-profit organization established to honor the memory of the late Achol Philip. A revered member of the historic Katiba Banat (the women’s battalion), Achol Philip is remembered for her extraordinary efforts and sacrifices during South Sudan’s liberation struggle.
She Stands Women’s Museum serves as a living tribute not only to her name but to all women veterans both those who have passed on and those who are alive today to tell their stories. It ensures that their contributions to the nation’s freedom are never forgotten.
Inside the Museum: A Journey Through Memory and Heritage
The museum’s physical space is thoughtfully curated to take visitors on a journey through the resilience and cultural wealth of South Sudanese women. The layout features five distinct dedicated spaces:
- The Hall of Liberation: Chronicling the active, courageous roles women played on the frontlines and in the background of the liberation struggle.
- The Hall of Remembrance: A sacred space dedicated to honoring the names, faces, and legacies of the women who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
- The Cultural Heritage Rooms: Celebrating the rich, diverse cultural traditions, artistry, and daily lives of South Sudanese women across generations.
- Her Voice Now: Celebrating contemporary heroines and the achievements of modern women since 2005, highlighting trailblazers such as Alek Wek and other influential figures who have shaped culture, innovation, leadership, and social change.
- Interactive space where exhibitions of painting representing different tribes, cultural traditions, women’s liberation themes and other artistic expressions.
The museum is more than a collection of artifacts; it is a sanctuary for truth, a space to tell Women stories, and a permanent reminder that the foundation of South Sudan was built on the strength of its women.
By anchoring their legacies in a permanent home, She Stands bridges the gap between generations, offering young women and visitors a place to connect with the powerful history of the women who helped shape South Sudan.