By Chuol Jany
South Sudan’s National Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, Hon. Aya Benjamin Warille, has expressed deep concern over the impact of poverty, exacerbated by conflict, on child marriage in the country.
She highlighted that economic hardships have led many families to marry off their daughters at a young age, preventing them from completing their education and determining their futures.
“Conflict has brought poverty, and in our communities, girls are seen as a source of wealth. We are working with chiefs and community leaders to end child marriage because it remains one of our biggest problems. We’ve made progress, but much more needs to be done to ensure equal rights for men and women in South Sudan.”
The minister also voiced disappointment over the low participation of rural women in decision-making processes. She emphasized that women, who constitute most of the population, must not be excluded from local leadership roles.
She pointed out that ignorance and illiteracy are key barriers that hinder women’s involvement in leadership.
“As a country, we need to confront this issue and find ways to address it. Women need to be active participants in political spaces, but in our culture, politics is often seen as a ‘dirty game,’ and many prefer to avoid it to maintain their integrity.
“This perception is a cultural barrier that prevents women from engaging in politics. We encourage women, both at the grassroots and in urban centers, to change their attitude toward politics.”
Minister Warille further highlighted her Ministry’s efforts to protect the rights of women and girls through the development of policies aimed at reducing gender-based violence (GBV).
“At the national level, we have developed policies to ensure the protection of women’s rights. Women bear the brunt of suffering during conflict, but we are not just victims—we are also active players who should be involved in preventing conflict.
Women are particularly vulnerable during the war, especially regarding issues like rape. As a Ministry, we’ve created policies and are actively telling men to stop violating women’s rights, especially in times of conflict.”
Minister Aya Benjamin Warille made these remarks during an exclusive interview with CRN in Juba on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.