Human Rights - Child Marriage: South Sudan

(Juba, March 7, 2013) -- The government of South Sudan should increase efforts to protect girls from child marriage. The country's widespread child marriage exacerbates South Sudan's pronounced gender gaps in school enrollment, contributes to soaring maternal mortality rates, and violates the right of girls to be free from violence, and to marry only when they are able and willing to give their free consent.

According to government statistics, close to half (48 percent) of South Sudanese girls between 15 and 19 are married, with some marrying as young as age 12.