The Situation
About a third of the girls get pregnant before the age of 15 (according to UNICEF), only 10% finish primary school and the United Nations states that the country ranks fifth when it comes to child marriage.
The hunger crisis in the country has only made the situation worse. That said, I still maintain that it is not excusable. I’ve never been to South Sudan but there must be another way of dealing with such issues and selling your daughter is not one of them.
Where Are The Women?
I’m not saying they can’t do anything - in fact, some girls have fought their families over such decisions - the message I am passing out is that it is a fight that some of these women wouldn’t want to put up with because they have a lot to lose.
Some come from impoverished backgrounds which means they have no money to sustain themselves and their children[4] and so will abide by any laws as long as they have a home. Some of them allow it because that’s how they also got married and thus it is a cycle that no one is willing to break.
[3]What About The Government?
In 2021, it promised to put measures that would see child marriage end by 2030 but it already appears like that will not come to pass. The situation is dire and is being exacerbated by hunger and other factors and who knows how things will turn out?
Lack Of Justice
What Can Be Done?
What about the women? Well, it’s time they also used their voice and stand against it. At times we are meant to feel like we have no power but the truth of the matter is that resigning ourselves to such fate only maintains the status quo. And that’s what they want but they have to push. It will be difficult but the effort is worth it.
References
- ^ she has no power to fight back (yazakenya.com)
- ^ What chance then do these girls have (yazakenya.com)
- ^ It is the men (yazakenya.com)
- ^ sustain themselves and their children (yazakenya.com)
- ^ It is so sad to see young girls (yazakenya.com)
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