In a remarkable show of unity and determination, over 40 traditional chiefs from the 8 Counties of Eastern Equatoria State convened for a three-day Chiefs Conference in Torit. They gathered to engage in dialogue to end child marriage which is very high in South Sudan largely due to the bride price attached to it.

State Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, Hon. Peter Lokeng Lotone, emphasized the importance of empowering daughters through education.

“Empower our daughters with education, for as long as they are still left behind with studies, we are far from ending child marriage.” 

Saying education plays a critical role in combating early marriages. Hon. Jennifer Nabongorika, State Minister of Gender Child and Social Welfare acknowledged. the chiefs for their pivotal roles in representing the government at the grassroots level where most cultural practices that are harmful to women and girls are highly practiced.

The conference was to build on the commitments made in previous Chiefs’ conferences 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 South Sudan.

The Strategic National Action Plan -SNAP by the government of South Sudan aims to End Child Marriage by 2030. The chiefs Conference is an annual event organized by UNFPA under the leadership of the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare at the national level.