Traditional leaders from across Central Equatoria State have united in a renewed commitment to tackle child marriage, protect girls and support them to remain in school.
The commitment came during a two-day conference of paramount chiefs, where leaders reviewed progress under their 2026 Resolution Action Plan and discussed practical measures to address child marriage at community level.
The plan is aligned with South Sudan’s Strategic National Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage, which runs from 2017 to 2030.
The urgency of the issue was highlighted by Nunu Diana, Director General in the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Gender and Child Social Welfare, who described cases of girls who have already become mothers while still of school-going age.
Diana said that during a visit to Mugo in Yei County earlier this year, she encountered 10 girls aged between 13 and 15 at a market.
According to Diana, none of the girls was attending school and all had already become mothers.
She also pointed to Terekeka County, where she said many young girls selling milk along the streets appeared to be children who should still be in school.
“These are evidences that you can see. It’s not a theory, but these are practical evidences,” Diana said.
She urged traditional leaders to use their influence within communities to discourage child marriage, raise awareness and encourage families to keep girls in school.
The conference was supported by Amref Health Africa and the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, as part of efforts to strengthen the role of traditional leaders in addressing harmful practices and protecting children.
Regina Lullo, Director General in the National Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, thanked the chiefs who travelled from different counties to attend the meeting.
Lullo said traditional leaders have an important role in protecting the rights, dignity, health and future of girls, given their influence in resolving community disputes and shaping social norms.
She specifically highlighted Terekeka County, where she said cases of child marriage have been recorded.
“We are not leaving any county behind when it comes to issues of ending child marriage,” Lullo said.
Diana stressed that traditional leaders cannot address child marriage alone, calling for coordinated action involving government institutions, civil society organisations, women’s groups and young people.
Speaking on behalf of the paramount chiefs, Joseph Brown called for continued community sensitisation and stronger cooperation between traditional leaders, government and other stakeholders.
At the close of the conference, the chiefs signed a pledge committing themselves to strengthening efforts to prevent child marriage and protect girls.
The traditional leaders are expected to take the resolutions back to their respective communities and translate the commitments into action.
For girls already facing barriers to education and early motherhood, the chiefs’ pledge now places the focus on what happens beyond the conference, in homes, schools, markets and communities across Central Equatoria.