February 20, 2025 – LAKES A young girl is recovering from severe injuries at Rumbek State Hospital in Lakes State, South Sudan, after being brutally beaten by her brothers for refusing to marry a partner they had chosen for her.
A doctor at the hospital confirmed the incident to Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday, stating that the girl had sustained serious injuries and might need to be transferred to another facility for further treatment.
Lakes State is one of several regions in South Sudan that have introduced laws to combat gender-based violence. Despite the legislation, signed by Governor Rin Tueny after its passage by the State Transitional Assembly, enforcement remains weak, and violations persist.
Forced marriage is a widespread issue in South Sudan, with many girls reportedly resorting to suicide to escape the practice.
Mamer Ajoch Lueth, the girl’s father, who was not present during the attack, blamed his two sons for the assault. He stated that he plans to take legal action once his daughter’s medical treatment is complete.
Angelina Adhel Malual, Chairperson of the Civil Society Organization Network (CiSON) in Lakes State, condemned the attack and emphasized the importance of girls’ rights to choose their own partners.
“Every girl has the right to decide whom she marries, and families must respect that decision,” Ms. Malual said. She urged the state government to enforce the 2022 law against gender-based violence to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
Forced marriages, often driven by dowry payments, remain widespread in South Sudan, with many girls married off before the age of 18. According to a 2017 UNICEF study, 52% of South Sudanese girls are married by their 18th birthday.
South Sudan’s constitution guarantees the right to consent to marriage and defines a child as anyone under 18.
Despite these legal protections, activists argue that cultural practices and weak enforcement of laws continue to leave many girls vulnerable to forced marriages and violence.
