South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
Eastern Equatoria State officials together with local chiefs on Thursday agreed to end forced and early child marriages across the State.
Peter Lokeng Lotone, the state minister for Local Government said during the closing of the three-day conference in Torit town, that all executive directors and chiefs have been granted the responsibility to spearhead efforts to end rampant child marriages in the State.
He disclosed that forced marriages happen in villages, adding that payam and Boma chiefs have been tasked to apprehend those who engage in forced marriages.
Anyeko Rose John, a female leader from Magwi County called for empowering communities to end child marriages.
“For us at the County level, we need empower our communities to eliminate child marriages in Eastern Equatoria State, all of us have shown that we are responsible for what has been happening in various counties, we have to really look forward,” said Rose.
Odongi Joseph Lino, the paramount chief of Ikwoto County said forced marriages can only be eliminated through public sensitization and awareness.
Celina Grace Peter, the Acting Director General in the National Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare said ending child marriages is in line with the South Sudan Child Act.
“If there is violation of the Child Act you should be able to report, let us work together to get tangible results, we need parliament to push for efforts to end child marriages,” she said.
Jennifer Nabongirika, the State Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare called on local chiefs to be vigilant on issues related to forced and early child marriages.
