As a Women Protection Advisor with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, Elizabeth Edelstein ’95 sees firsthand the atrocities — from abductions to rape to false imprisonment — suffered by women and children. As an advocate for these “voiceless” individuals, it is her mission to make a difference in this highly patriarchal society. The girls in Upper School were fortunate to hear from Ms. Edelstein herself at a recent News program.
Ms. Edelstein shared with the students how frustrating it is to not only try to change men’s beliefs, but also those of the women themselves. In their culture, she explained, a woman’s value is equated to 50 cows. It is deemed acceptable to give cows to her family in exchange for the woman. This isn’t something most women question.
While slow, Ms. Edelstein said that she is seeing positive results from her work in this volatile region. The abduction of women and children are a common occurrence, yet she has been able to reunite some with their families. Ms. Edelstein has also been successful in getting women released from jail who have been unjustly imprisoned.
Ms. Edelstein noted that her desire to help women and children was influenced by two of her Class 12 courses: one on nationalism taught by Ilana Pergam ’86, now Chapin’s Director of Studies, and the other a class on the 1960s with history teacher Christine Naitove.
After concluding her talk and fielding many thoughtful questions from the girls, Ms. Edelstein joined a group of students in their Global Citizenship class. When asked what it is like to be a white woman from the United States trying to influence change in a male-dominated culture, Ms. Edelstein said that she is only a guest in the country and strives to be as culturally sensitive and respectful as possible. She is pleased to see a few men begin to speak up for women through her work. Ms. Edelstein firmly believes that change must come from within to be sustainable.
Realizing the danger surrounding Ms. Edelstein’s work, the girls knew that a truly brave woman stood before them.
To read more about Ms. Edelstein’s UN Mission in the South Sudan, please click here to see an interview with her that appeared in the recent Alumnae Bulletin.