Physical, psychological, and economic abuse drive gender-based violence in Lakes State

Physical, psychological, and economic abuse continue to fuel gender-based violence (GBV) in Lakes State, contributing to cases of suicide among women and girls while undermining girls’ education, according to the Chairperson of the Lakes State Women’s Union.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, Agum Joseph Kuc said gender-based violence remains a challenge not only in Lakes State but across South Sudan. However, some forms of violence have declined in recent years.

“Gender-based violence has many forms,” she said. “There is physical violence, psychological violence and economic violence. All these contribute to GBV.”

She noted that incidents of rape, which were once widespread in Lakes State, have reduced significantly following increased awareness campaigns and interventions by authorities.

However, Kuc said early and forced marriage remain among the most persistent forms of violence affecting girls.

“There are still girls being married off at the ages of 14, 15 or 16 before they reach 18 years,” she said. “This is a violation of their rights and a form of gender-based violence.”

According to her, girls forced into marriage at a young age often struggle to cope with family responsibilities, exposing them to domestic violence.

“When girls are married before they are emotionally and physically mature, they find it difficult to manage family life, and this sometimes results in physical abuse by their husbands,” she explained.

Kuc also linked domestic violence to economic hardship, saying unemployment and poverty place enormous pressure on families.

“Many women do not have jobs. When a woman cannot provide food because of poverty, some husbands resort to violence. Economic hardship creates stress that often leads to domestic abuse,” she said.

Suicide linked to forced marriage

Kuc expressed concern over reports of suicide among young women, particularly in Wulu County, where she said forced marriages have left some girls feeling hopeless.

“In Wulu County, some women and girls have committed suicide because they were forced into marriages against their will,” she said. “Psychological violence can have devastating consequences.”

She added that Rumbek North County also continues to record high levels of domestic violence, with some women facing frequent physical abuse from their spouses over accusations of disobedience.

Although rape cases have declined overall, she said incidents continue to be reported in Cueibet and Rumbek North counties.

“In Cueibet County, gender-based violence remains a concern partly because of intercommunal conflicts, which continue to expose women and girls to violence,” she said.

Kuc observed that Rumbek East and Rumbek Central counties have shown improvements due to sustained community awareness campaigns against GBV.

Support services for survivors

She said the State Ministry of Gender, the Women’s Union, police gender desks and Rumbek State Hospital are working together to support survivors through medical treatment, psychosocial counselling and legal assistance.

“We collect data on GBV cases, provide counselling and ensure survivors receive treatment,” she said. “We also protect survivors’ identities because these cases involve trauma and emotional stress.”

She added that community awareness campaigns are encouraging people to reject early marriage and other harmful practices.

Early marriage undermines girls’ education.

Kuc said early and forced marriage remain major obstacles to girls’ education in Lakes State.

“When a girl is married off early and later divorces, she often does not return to school,” she explained. “Likewise, girls who become pregnant at an early age frequently abandon their education.”

Without education or vocational skills, many divorced young women have few options other than petty trade to survive.

“Many end up selling tea in the market because they have no opportunity to continue their education,” she said.

Despite these challenges, Kuc said attitudes are gradually changing.

“We now educate communities that girls who divorce or marry early are not failures. They still deserve another opportunity to return to school, complete their education and build successful lives.”

She welcomed the enforcement of laws prohibiting early and forced marriage under the current state administration, noting that pregnant schoolgirls also have the right to resume their education.

“If a girl is underage, she should be allowed to complete her education before marriage,” she said.

Kuc said her office works closely with chiefs, religious leaders and local authorities to encourage parents to keep girls in school and discourage violence against women.

“We continue to tell parents that even if a girl becomes pregnant, she still has the right to return to school,” she said. “Women should not be beaten.”

Economic empowerment remains limited.

Although many women remain unemployed, Kuc highlighted several community women’s groups engaged in farming, livestock keeping and small businesses.

She cited Akon Buoi Women’s Agricultural Group and Mukrot Women’s Group, which cultivate crops such as sorghum and groundnuts to generate income.

She also acknowledged the contribution of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centers, where women receive training in hairdressing, driving, hospitality, catering and carpentry.

However, she noted that such opportunities remain concentrated in urban areas.

“Women in rural villages have very limited access to vocational training and economic opportunities,” she said.

Kuc stressed that women’s economic empowerment is essential for household welfare and national development.

“Women’s empowerment contributes directly to economic growth and improved living standards,” she said. “But support remains inadequate. Women need proper business training, agricultural inputs and financial assistance instead of relying only on traditional farming.”

She explained that many women still depend on selling sorghum, groundnuts and vegetables to buy basic household necessities.

Among the achievements of the Women’s Union, Kuc highlighted the government’s decision to exempt women selling vegetables, milk, and groundnuts at the Rumbek market from paying taxes.

“This has helped many women increase their income,” she said.

She also said women today are more aware of their legal rights than in previous years.

“Women now know they can report cases of violence to the police and seek treatment and counselling at hospitals,” she said. “They are no longer silent.”

Kuc added that increasing numbers of girls are returning to school after pregnancy and that women’s representation in government has improved through the implementation of the 35 per cent affirmative action policy.

“We now have more women in government and universities than before, and many have graduated. This is real progress,” she said.

Funding shortages slowing progress.

Despite these gains, Kuc said women’s organizations are struggling because funding from development partners has significantly declined.

“In the past, we received support from development partners, but today there is very little funding,” she said. “Many programmes have stopped, and our activities have been affected.”

She said lack of transport has also limited her ability to monitor women’s programmes across the state’s counties.

“I remain in Rumbek because I have no means of transport to visit women in the counties and understand their challenges,” she said.

Call for greater investment

Kuc called on the government to extend development programmes to rural communities by improving infrastructure and expanding opportunities for women.

“The government should take development to rural areas so women can work and improve their livelihoods,” she said.

She also appealed to development partners to invest in women’s agriculture by providing improved seeds, farming tools, irrigation facilities and water boreholes.

“We need water boreholes, agricultural equipment, quality seeds and transport so women can become economically independent,” she said. “Supporting women is supporting the development of Lakes State.”

She concluded by urging both the government and development partners to increase investment in women’s empowerment, saying stronger support would reduce poverty, improve education and help combat gender-based violence across the state.