Elizabeth Ayen Kuer, the Executive Director of the Jonglei Women Empowerment Program (JWEP), has called upon the Jonglei State Government to take decisive action against child and forced marriages.

During a three-day joint initiative on public dialogue and a campaign to raise awareness about early and forced marriages, Ayen emphasized the urgent need for stronger enforcement of existing laws to protect vulnerable children and young girls.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj in Bor on Tuesday, Ayen highlighted the significance of addressing the prevalent issue of early child marriages in South Sudan, particularly in Jonglei State. “The primary objective of this event is to combat early child and forced marriages, which have become widespread in Jonglei State. We aim to mitigate the challenges associated with early marriages,” Ayen stated.

She further explained, “This event has brought together five consortiums of women’s rights organizations, including Root of Generation, Child Bride Solidarity, Jonglei Women Empowerment Program, Women’s Advancement, and Women for Women International. We have engaged government institutions, schoolchildren, and various stakeholders, with support from the British government.”

Jonglei State’s Minister of Gender, William Kuol Chuol, echoed Ayen’s concerns, highlighting that the majority of child and forced marriage cases remain vastly underreported in the state. He emphasized that the reasons behind this alarming trend are multifaceted.

“The lack of proper infrastructure, including roads to reach the counties, coupled with poor communication systems, poses significant challenges. Additionally, customary laws often discourage reporting of such cases, further complicating matters. Traditional norms dictate silence on such issues, perpetuating a cycle of underreporting. Moreover, cases of child abuse are widespread across the counties,” Kuol explained.

He further pointed out that limited awareness and accessibility to grassroots communities significantly contribute to the problem. Many victims and their families are unaware of their rights or the legal avenues available to them, exacerbating the issue.

Jonglei faces additional hurdles in effectively enforcing the law. Simon Hoth Dual, Jonglei State’s Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, highlighted that the state lacks robust security forces capable of ensuring compliance with legal provisions.

“The absence of adequate law enforcement agencies, including trained police forces, leaves innocent people vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by powerful individuals. We were supposed to address this issue, but unfortunately, we have fallen short,” Hoth stated.

Moreover, the lack of competent courts at the county level exacerbates the situation. Without accessible and efficient judicial processes, victims struggle to seek justice and hold perpetrators accountable.

Ayen’s call to action resonates with advocates, civil society organizations, and concerned citizens across Jonglei. The urgency of addressing child and forced marriages cannot be overstated. The state government is urged to prioritize awareness campaigns, strengthen security forces, and establish accessible legal mechanisms to safeguard the rights of vulnerable individuals.

The joint activity on ending early girl-child marriage under the theme, ‘Stop Early Girl Child Marriage Now,’ was supported by Saferword and Women for Women International through support from the British Government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and flexible funding from the Conflict Stabilization and Security Fund (CSSF).