The impact(s) of South Sudanese cultural marriage practices on women's pursuit of post-secondary education in Canada

The central question asked in this thesis is "How/does South Sudanese cultural marriage practices impact South Sudanese women's pursuit of post-secondary education in Canada?" This thesis, therefore, aims to investigate how cultural marriage practices impact South Sudanese women in their quest for post-secondary education. This study focuses on the experiences of six South Sudanese women who immigrated to Canada as refugees. The focus is drawn toward their educational aspirations and their cultural experiences. To provide context for this research, literature on migration, the making of a refugee, the resettlement process, assimilation, refugee experiences in host societies, and refugee women's experiences are broadly discussed. The research findings explain the effects of South Sudanese cultural marriage practices on South Sudanese women who have immigrated to Canada as refugees. Using African Feminism as a theoretical perspective, the study explores the importance of centring African women's voices and experiences with the aim of creating gender equality. Data collection methods incorporated in this research are semi-structured interviewing and autoethnography, as they provide an in-depth analysis of the study. The study results show how South Sudanese cultural marriage expectations can coexist with women's desire to pursue post-secondary education.