Josephine Kiden, crowned Miss Deaf Africa in 2021, has called on the people of South Sudan to actively learn sign language, stressing its importance in promoting inclusion and empowering the deaf community to take part in the country’s development.
Kiden highlighted the communication gap faced by deaf individuals, emphasizing that limited knowledge of sign language among the general population is one of the major barriers to full social and political participation for people with hearing impairments.
“Opening more schools that teach sign language would help bridge this gap and create a more inclusive environment,” she said. “Before I won Miss Deaf Africa, I often had to rely on writing to communicate, and many times people excluded me, thinking I had nothing to contribute.”
According to Kiden, the Ustratuna Center in Juba remains the only institution currently offering formal sign language training. She encouraged families with deaf children to take advantage of its services and urged interested learners to attend classes there.
She also called on lawmakers to create space for people with disabilities in decision-making roles. “I hope in the next five years, we will see dedicated seats in parliament for persons with special needs,” she said, noting that this would allow for the formation of parliamentary committees focused on disability rights and advocacy.
Kiden praised her longtime interpreter and teacher, Grace, for selflessly supporting the deaf community. “Grace helps me without ever expecting payment, and her dedication brings me joy,” she added.
The 27-year-old beauty queen also encouraged people with disabilities in South Sudan to come together, form networks, and raise their collective voice to push for meaningful change.
Kiden’s journey has been marked by resilience. She survived a gun attack by unknown assailants in Juba in 2022 and endured a childhood marked by hardship. Growing up in poverty, she used to crush and sell rocks to pay for school and support her family.
“Life was very difficult. I had to work from a young age just to afford basic needs,” she recalled. “Later, I began attending workshops and saved what little I earned to help my loved ones.”
Having traveled abroad to study various forms of sign language and acquire new skills, Kiden continues to advocate for better implementation of international conventions that protect the rights of people with disabilities in South Sudan.