The Role of Community Leadership in Combating Child Marriage for Promotion of Girl-Child Education in Jonglei State, South Sudan: A Case of Dinka Bor Community

Abstract

Child marriage remains pervasive in many African societies and is strongly linked to culture and religion. It involves any marriage where one or both parties are under 18. Even though it refers to both girls and boys, an overwhelming number of informal and formal child marriages in Africa involve girls. Child marriage is a frequent and widely prevalent phenomenon in South Sudan, which occurs mainly in post-conflict settings. Statistically, 52% of South Sudanese girls are married before age 18, and 9% are married before age 15. The study adopted a qualitative case study design and focused on understanding the role of Dinka Bor community leaders and how they act in combating early marriage. The research techniques employed included observation, key informants, and in-depth interviews with community leaders. The study finds that girls are often denied school because of the cultural view that they are considered marriage materials necessary to acquire wealth in the form of bride prices. In addition, rural areas are worst affected, with few schools available located very far. Thus, it leads to frustration and school dropout. The study also establishes that it is not only culture that deters girl-child education, but poverty and social media are among the factors that drive child marriages in Jonglei State, South Sudan. Also, in the study, although legislations prohibit child marriages, the consent of the parents or guardian appears to be an undeterred factor that drives child marriage. In conclusion, community leaders appear to be playing a significant role in supporting government policies concerning child marriage and education in recent years