20 June 2015 - Insecurity in Unity State had become the leading cause for children’s failure to attend school, UNMISS Child Protection Officer Erasmus Migyikra said today in the state capital Bentiu.

Mr. Migyikra was speaking during an International Day of the African Child event held at the mission’s protection site in Bentiu, under the theme “Stop child marriage”.

“Since the beginning of the crisis in December 2013, children in Unity State have continued to suffer consequences of armed conflict,” he said. “Children have been displaced, separated and reported unaccompanied by their parents.”

Noting that South Sudan became the 195^th state to ratify the Convention of the Rights of the Child in May 2015, Mr. Migyikra said that parents and the state were the duty bearers for the fulfillment of these rights.

“What remains for the government is the active enforcement of the convention and meaningful enjoyment of children of their rights,” he said.

He urged both parents and the state to accelerate efforts to meet national and international obligations towards protection of children and peaceful settlement of the ongoing crisis.

The Unity State INTERSOS Education Cluster Coordinator, Beshir Ali, said there are about 10n schools in Bentiu protection site providing education for children.

He noted, however, that there were far fewer girls than boys at the higher levels and reminded parents of the need to send girls to school and save them from the practice of early marriage.

Thousands of children attended the event, which featured drama and music performances that highlighted different practices having a negative impact on children’s education.