The Issue of Child Marriage in South Sudan

Child marriage, also known as early marriage, is a global phenomenon that has become prevalent in many countries, including South Sudan.

In South Sudan, child marriage is a significant challenge, with about 52% of girls getting married before their 18th birthday. This practice has devastating consequences for girls, including loss of education, early pregnancy, maternal mortality, domestic violence, and poverty.

This article will explore the issue of child marriage in South Sudan, its consequences, and what can be done to stop it.

Child Marriage in South Sudan

Child marriage in South Sudan is a deeply rooted cultural practice. In many communities, girls are considered a burden and a source of income for families.

As a result, they are often married off at a young age to reduce the financial burden on their parents. Poverty is also a significant factor that contributes to child marriage in South Sudan.

Families living in poverty often marry off their daughters to reduce the cost of feeding and caring for them. In some communities, child marriage is also seen as a way of protecting girls from sexual violence.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), South Sudan has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with 52% of girls getting married before their 18th birthday, and 9% getting married before they turn 15.

The legal age of marriage in South Sudan is 18 years, but these laws are not enforced, and traditional practices often override legal regulations. Child marriage is more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas, with some communities marrying off girls as young as 12 years old.

Consequences of Child Marriage in South Sudan

Child marriage has significant consequences for girls in South Sudan. These consequences affect their physical, emotional, and social well-being, and have long-term effects on their health and development.

Some of the consequences of child marriage in South Sudan include:

Loss of Education: Girls who are married off at a young age are often forced to drop out of school, which limits their access to education and opportunities for personal and economic growth.

Early Pregnancy and Maternal Mortality: Child brides are at a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications, such as fistula, premature birth, and maternal mortality. They are also more likely to have multiple pregnancies, which further increases the risk of maternal mortality.

Domestic Violence: Child brides are at a higher risk of domestic violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. They have little control over their lives and are often subject to the whims of their husbands and in-laws.

Poverty: Child marriage perpetuates poverty by trapping girls in a cycle of early pregnancy, limited education, and economic dependence on their husbands.

Mental Health: Child brides often suffer from depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, which are exacerbated by their lack of control over their lives and limited access to resources and support.

What can be done to stop Child Marriage in South Sudan?

Child marriage is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach.

To address child marriage in South Sudan, various stakeholders, including the government, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and community members, need to work together to develop and implement strategies to prevent and end child marriage.

Enforce Laws and Policies: The government of South Sudan needs to enforce laws and policies that prohibit child marriage and promote girls’ education and empowerment.

The government should also provide resources and support to organizations working to end child marriage.

Education and Awareness: Education and awareness-raising campaigns can help change cultural norms and beliefs that contribute to child marriage.

These campaigns should target girls, parents, and community leaders and emphasize the importance of education and the harmful effects of child marriage on girls.

Economic Empowerment: Economic empowerment programs can help address the poverty that often drives child marriage.

These programs should target girls and their families and provide training, resources, and support to help them generate income and become economically self-sufficient.

Access to Healthcare: Improving access to healthcare services, particularly reproductive health services, can help reduce the health risks associated with early pregnancy and child marriage.

Empower Girls: Empowering girls through education, mentorship, and leadership programs can help them become advocates for their own rights and the rights of other girls.

It can also help them develop the skills and confidence to make informed decisions about their lives and futures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, child marriage is a significant challenge in South Sudan, with devastating consequences for girls, including loss of education, early pregnancy, domestic violence, and poverty.

To address this issue, various stakeholders need to work together to develop and implement strategies that prevent and end child marriage.

These strategies should include enforcing laws and policies, education and awareness campaigns, economic empowerment programs, access to healthcare, and empowering girls.

By working together, we can end child marriage in South Sudan and create a brighter future for girls in the country.