Child marriage in South Sudan

In 2017 in South Sudan, 52% of girls are married off before the age of 18 and 9% are married before they turn 15.[1] South Sudan is the 8th highest nation in the world for child marriage.[1]

Child marriage in South Sudan is commonly seem in rural parts of the country and not in urban areas. In these parts, traditional law has power over legislative law. The decision of a child to get married is put into action by the father. The mother does not have any say in decisions that are supposed to benefit the family. A child that is married off is solely for economic reasons. This increases the family's status in the society. When girls are married to the man that is courting them, the family is generously awarded with gifts in the form of a dowry. The dowry is one of the most important factors that coincide with child marriage. Dowry is given out in the form of cattle, which shows great respect to the family. The man that the child is being married off to supplies the family with cattle and riches to show his appreciation. In many cases, these rewards alleviate the family of hardships in the form of poverty. Dowry size is also linked to the woman's education level.

An educated woman is said to be a suitable marriage partner by many men in South Sudan. Yet, when a woman’s education is taken from her, she has no other option. A girl can also be seen a problem or burden to her family if she is not married off.[2]

Child Marriages are some of the most expensive marriages. Bride price is similar to that of Dowry. The more value that a child has, the more money a man has to pay for her.[2] Bride price is related to a man's status. When a man does not find wife, his value and standing in society goes down. When bride price inflation happens, young men will not be able to afford marriage. Without an income, young men are not worth anything and cannot purchase a wife.[3]

Many health problems are related to children who are forced into a marriage. Health problems in rural places are not treated sanitarily which results in infections and death. Early pregnancies are not treated as they should. The toll on the girls body is not taken into consideration because of the status that women in South Sudan hold. They are inferior to men.[2] Sanitation is a major problem. When girls go into labor, they are only taken to the hospital if strenuous problems arise. If not, they are expected to deliver their children in unsterilized places. Maternal health care services is very limited in underrepresented countries. A woman's labor can be stretched out if she has been found to be unfaithful to the man that she forced to marry. The child will not be allowed to be born unless the women tells her husband who she has had relations with.

The cause of child marriage is for the family of the child pride to remain good social standing and to have financial prosperity. This tradition is upheld by the families in order to keep their children safe and to prevent their daughter from conceiving children without being married. This idea protects the families pride and honor. Families who do not give their children up for marriage are usually criticized by the neighboring communities and are shown scrutiny. It is easier for the families to follow what everyone else is participating in. Families also marry their children off at a young age to make sure that their daughters have protection and security.

Child marriage has consequences for children. Health studies conducted show that young women have greater risks in pregnancy than older women due to their premature bodies and smaller pelvises. [4] Female children attend school at lower rates than their male counterparts and have lower literacy rates. [5] Since independence in 2011, South Sudanese women have begun to advocate for more autonomy over themselves.[6] Women who live in urban settings are subjected to child marriage, unwanted pregnancies, educational barriers and economic barriers. [7] Girls who are married early have unequal power relations with their husbands. [8] Customary law is recognized in South Sudan and marriage falls under the jurisdiction of this custom. Divorce is difficult for women under customary law, and dowries must be repaid to the husband's family if divorce occurs, resulting in the child's family having a financial incentive to keep the child in the marriage.[4]