Ending child marriage should not be a choice but a necessity
Young voices calling for an end to child marriage in South Sudan
Ending child marriage in South Sudan is a dream we all yearn for: a nation where girls no longer face the heart-wrenching and physical burden of being forced into marriage as a child. A country where the voices of young girls will be heard, and their innocence and dreams are cherished. A society that will be known for empowering girls and all children.
This is a dream that can only come true once we put an end to child marriage.
Child marriage is prevalent in many parts of the world and is still a common practice in South Sudan. Most recent figures indicate that 52% of girls are married before they turn 18, with some girls being married off as young as 12 years old. Cultural practices dictate that when a child menstruates or gets her period, she is considered eligible to marry. In addition, 28% of girls who are married as children become pregnant before even reaching adulthood.
Since gaining independence, South Sudan has seen brutal conflicts as well as natural disasters that has displaced millions. Children’s rights have unfortunately suffered. But UNICEF is giving platforms to children and young advocates to reach out to policymakers, influencers, other children, and young people to promote and protect children's rights in South Sudan.
UNICEF is giving platforms to children and young advocates to reach out to policymakers, influencers, other children, and young people to promote and protect children's rights in South Sudan.
Fortunately, there is hope for change in South Sudan; in recent years, there have been efforts to end child marriage in South Sudan. Organizations such as the African Union (AU) and UNICEF have been working with the Government and other partners to raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage and to advocate for laws to protect young girls and change cultural and social norms that negatively impact girls.
One such law is the Child Act of 2008, which sets the minimum age of marriage for girls above 18 years old. Despite this law, child marriage is still practiced in many parts of South Sudan due to poverty, cultural practices, and a lack of enforcement of the law. However, there are signs of progress. In 2018, the government launched a campaign to end child marriage, and in 2019, a national action plan was developed to guide efforts to end child marriage in the country.
Ending child marriage in South Sudan is a complex issue that requires efforts from all stakeholders. With continued advocacy, awareness-raising, strengthening of institutions, and enforcement of laws, we can ensure that girls in South Sudan are protected from the harmful effects of child marriage and are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Sittanah Ahmed is a 16-year-old UNICEF Young Reporter and student at Juba Diocese Model Secondary School. She says child marriage is a grave issue that affects millions of children around the world, adding that it is a violation of human rights and can have devastating consequences for the child, including physical and psychological harm, limited education opportunities, and an increased risk of exploitation.
Ending child marriage is not a choice but a necessity. Child marriage is a violation of human rights and a lifelong sentence of deprivation and discrimination towards girls
Meanwhile, Wisdom Wieu, a 21-year-old Young Reporter stated there is peace in ending child marriage in South Sudan.
“Child marriage, which is also fueled by poverty, has left thousands of children with no access to quality education, clean water, and good health. This is because when children are married off at an early age, they are deprived of their rights to education and freedom as they are forced into adulthood before they are ready.”
“She must leave her family, friends, and school and take on the responsibilities of a wife and mother. She faces many risks to her health, safety, and well-being, such as domestic violence, pregnancy complications, and poverty,” he said.
She loses her right to enjoy her childhood and to make her own choices about her future
He added, “Let us protect our girls and boys from exploitation; let’s protect our communities from the permanent emotional wounds of losing their loved ones; let us bring quality education and sustainable peace through ending child marriage in South Sudan. It is a collective responsibility of both me and you.”
We are children! Not husbands or wives, we are children! Not mothers and fathers.
“Ending child marriage is a gradual process as well as a collective responsibility. Child marriage is a practice that goes against a child’s rights. Although it is a customary practice in South Sudan, we can together put child marriage to an end. Eradicating this practice would be the best thing to do for children, not only in South Sudan but the world at large."
“Child marriage is an injustice, and an injustice anywhere is a threat to peace and normal society,” said Ihuro Joseph, a 16-year-old Young Reporter and student at Juba Diocese Model Secondary School.
This practice is very harmful to young girls. For instance, at the time of giving birth, the girl might die because their bodies are not yet fully developed to go through childbirth.
For her part, Yar Alier, a 16-year-old senior two student at Juba Diocese Model Secondary School, echoed that educating a girl is educating a nation.
"We can stop early child marriage by educating and raising awareness among parents by letting them know that their daughters can bring more wealth to their families by putting them to school,” she added.
