Western Equatoria State parliamentarians have renewed calls for a new law that will punish men who impregnate women—especially girls—and then abandon them, amid growing reports of neglect, exploitation, and gender-based violence across the state.
State Legislative Assembly Speaker Ann Tuna Richard told Radio Tamazuj that Western Equatoria was facing a dangerous increase in cases of girls being lured into relationships, impregnated, and left without support. She said many women were also raising children alone after men abandoned them.
“There are many women now raising children alone,” she said. “A man may impregnate a woman and then behave as if he has no duty. This bill will hold such men accountable.”
The proposed legislation, which has already passed its first reading, introduces a minimum five-year jail sentence for men who refuse to support their pregnant partners or their children. It also allows a child to be registered under the mother’s family name when the father denies responsibility.
Speaker Tuna said the state continues to record cases where girls were impregnated by boys or older men who later fled, young mothers dropped out of school permanently, and women were forced into poverty because their partners refused to help them. Some men, she went on, took up multiple girlfriends despite lacking the means to support even one family.
“Girls are dropping out of school every year due to unplanned pregnancies,” she said. “Many never return, and their lives and dreams are cut short.”
She added that the burden on women contributed to early deaths, poor health, and deepening poverty across communities.
For his part, Other Political Parties (OPP) lawmaker Simon Parakati said the bill was necessary because many men abandon their responsibilities and leave girls suffering.
“If you cannot handle responsibility, don’t engage in sexual activities,” he said. “This law will help reduce the number of girls being deceived and left alone.”
Meanwhile, Julie John Sindani of the South Sudan Movement for Change Alliance said the bill was critical for protecting young girls, stopping exploitation, and reducing gender-based violence.
“We need a law that protects girls from boys and men who impregnate them and run away,” she said. “Our youth must grow responsibly and become a better generation.”
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Executive Director, Edmond Yakani, praised the state assembly for taking action against what he called a “serious social crime.”
“This law is important,” he said. “Men must be punished for causing lifelong problems for women and children.”
The bill is expected to move to second reading in the coming weeks.