A female activist in Lopa County of Imotong state is calling for an end to girl child compensation.
Girl child compensation is very common in some parts of South Sudan. It’s a form of GBV where girls are given out as compensation after violence or family dispute.
Jackline Joko says the cultural practice of girl child compensation encourages communities to commit crimes.
Joko further noted that, most mothers in Lopa are angry as a result of losing their girls to a deceased family, in the case where her child is given out as compensation after the death of a rival family member in conflict.
Joko calls on law actors to enact laws that guides and punishes perpetrators of this practice. She says it is a responsibility of all paramount chiefs and other actors to start advocating for an end to such a harmful practice.
She further added that Human right abuses still remain a bigger challenge in the area, but urges community leaders to work hard to end this practice.