16 June 2015 - Different states in South Sudan today joined the global community in commemorating the Day of the African Child, which is observed on 16 June every year.

In the Warrap State capital Kuajok, the event was held under a theme, “Eliminate child marriage and end violence against children”.

“The invisible tears of children in Warrap state are still very far from over,” said Victoria Tito, State Minister for Social Development. “Children are still being subjected to all forms of brutality like forced marriage, child neglect, battering, rape (and) defilement, among others.”

“It is our collective … responsibility to eradicate injuries and harmful cultural practices against our children like cutting marks and removing of teeth,” she added. “This leads to physical and emotional scars in children.”

Ms. Tito noted that her ministry was committed to ensuring the well-being of children and would create an enabling environment to educate children.

“The high influx of street children, particularly in Kuajok town and the neighboring towns like Wau, is quite alarming,” she said. “An assessment conducted by the Ministry of Social Development indicates that 60 per cent of the children living on the street in Wau hail from Warrap State.”

State Gender Advisor Adior Kuol Amuom said that communities in the state viewed girls as their main source of wealth, resulting in girls being forced to leave school and enter marriage as early as 15 or 16 years of age.

“The Government is working hard to promote the equal education system for both girls and boys in the state,” said Ms. Adior, calling for tougher family policies to compel parents to honor and respect child education.

Adut Deng, a 15-year-old primary school pupil, said the lack of awareness of girls’ rights and need for education continued to hamper their future. “Most young girls’ future is ruined due to early marriages.”

UNMISS Warrap State Coordinator Leda Limann applauded the children and government for the event’s turnout and encouraged children to study hard. “Warrap children have a great role to play in building South Sudan. This nation is counting on them.”

In Western Bahr El-Ghazal State, children urged the South Sudanese government and international community to ensure the wellbeing of young people.

Speaking during celebrations for the Day of the Africa Child in the state capital Wau, children’s representative John Deng said they were the most affected by prolonged war in South Sudan.

“I was born in war. I am going to school in war. I need peace like any child,” said Mr. Deng. He called on warring parties to commit themselves to bringing peace as soon possible.

“Children are not soldiers; they are the future of tomorrow,” said State Minister of Gender and Social Welfare Naima Abbas.

She noted that the government was working to establish several child centres where young people could spend time socializing with peers during their spare time.

Top state government officials, UN representatives and thousands of school children attended the ceremony. Held under the theme, “Accelerating our collective efforts to end child marriage”, the Day featured presentations of drama, music and art.