Over 40 Chiefs Gather in Torit to Tackle Ending Child Marriage in South Sudan
By Denilson Deneki
In a remarkable show of unity and determination, over 40 chiefs from the 8 Counties of Eastern Equatoria State have convened for a three-day State Chiefs Conference in Torit. The focus of the conference is to engage in dialogue with leaders on the implementation of strategies outlined in the National Action Plan aimed at ending girl child marriage in South Sudan.
During the opening ceremony of the conference, Hon. Peter Lokeng Lotone, State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, emphasized the importance of empowering daughters through education. He stated, “Empower our daughters with education, for as long as they are still left behind with studies, we are far from ending child marriage.” Lotone highlighted the critical role of education in combating early marriages and pointed out that the lack of education often leads to forced and early marriages within the community.
Furthermore, Hon. Jennifer Nabongorika, State Minister of Gender Child and Social Welfare, commended the chiefs for their pivotal roles in representing the government at the grassroots level. She acknowledged the challenges faced by chiefs and urged the community to support them in their efforts.
Ms. Celina Grace Peter, Acting Director General for Gender Child and Social Welfare at the National Ministry of Gender Child and Social Welfare, praised the chiefs as direct policy implementers on the ground. She encouraged them to continue their vital work on behalf of the government.
Emmanuel Changun Chuol, the Program Specialist at UNFPA, speaking on behalf of the UNFPA South Sudan Country Representative, reiterated the importance of addressing child marriage. He stated, “It is an honor for UNFPA to support this initiative contributing to ending child marriage, in line with the Strategic National Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage in South Sudan.”
The conference aims to build on the commitments made in previous meetings and develop actionable plans to accelerate progress in ending child marriage. With alarming statistics indicating that 52% of girls in South Sudan marry before the age of 18, concerted efforts are needed to safeguard the rights and well-being of young girls in the country.
As the conference unfolds in Torit, the chiefs, government officials, and stakeholders are poised to engage in meaningful discussions and formulate strategies to combat the harmful practice of child marriage. The outcome of this gathering is expected to pave the way for a brighter future for girls in South Sudan, where education and empowerment are key to breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality.
