UNICEF Ambassador Calls for Intensification of Education on Child Marriage
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador Kuroyanagi Tetsuko upon her visit to Juba to advocate for and familiarize herself with the situation of managing children affairs in the infant nation, called for the government and partners to intensify education on child marriage. 21 March 2013 The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador Kuroyanagi Tetsuko (left) with Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, the UNICEF Country Representative South Sudan addressing the Media in Juba. [Waakhe Simon Wudu] By Waakhe Simon Wudu JUBA, 20 March 2013 [Gurtong] - After paying visits and met a number of children, UNICEF supported projects and government officials in Central and Western Equatoria States, Tetsuko described the issue of child marriage in South Sudan as “a problem.” “I think education of adult who are surrounded by these small girls who wait to get married is important,” Tetsuko said while addressing journalists at the South Sudan Capital, Juba. She said there is need for education for girls, boys, and families to ensure that girls are not married below the age of 18. Dr. Yasmin Ali Haque, the UNICEF Country Representative South Sudan exclusively said that, four out of ten girls are married below the age of 18; a practice that compromises the Southern Sudan Child Act 2008 and The Transitional Constitution which defines that, a child is some one who is less than the age of 18. Early this month the Human Right Watch launched a researched report that documented marriage in South Sudan. Entitled “This old man can feed us you will marry him,” it presents appealing situation as it depicts how young girls are being forced into marriages by their parents. The report recommended numerous resolutions including government to define marriageable age which is not being defined in the constitution. Tetsuko who is visiting South Sudan for the second time since 1993 though said there has been great improvement taking place in manning children affairs in the infant nation. Her efforts in South Sudan has benefitted thousands of children after Totto-chan Centre, a children institution that missions to benefit traumatized children in Sudan was established in 1996 after Tetsuko made generous donation to UNICEF. It is reported that, Totto-chan has now since establishment benefitted 2,500 children affected by armed conflict, demobilized from armed forces, separated and unaccompanied, returnees, abducted, and other vulnerable children. Initially, activities at the Center includes; conducting research, carrying out surveys, training teachers and health social workers, raising public awareness on child trauma issues and exchanging information and experience with similar and international institutions through exchange visits and networking. Posted in: Home, Education, Governance, Foreign Aid/Assistance -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
