EDUCATION REMAINS THE KEY TO SUCCESS, FOR WE BELIEVE THAT WHEN BOOKS ARE OPENED PEOPLE WILL DISCOVER THAT THEY HAVE WINGS TO FLY HIGH. This project is funded by NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION contents wake of a new dawn •Defying odds to make it big in education.....................5 cases of early and forced marriages •Married to curb the poverty pandemic in her family.........................................................................7 •Married to the dead.......................................................11 •Denied only a year to clear her education................13 A world in which everybody can build an independent livelihood, that is our ideal. And that is why support people in developing countries working on their own future. A matter of justice. •Not yet time but am already booked...........................14 •Its finally pay back time................................................16 •Back to my land of origin with excitement, Only to please my people more......................................18 •Without wasting time for education............................19 •All hope is not lost.........................................................20 •Centre check up: Mundri county........................22 Our strategy Nobody chooses where he or she is born. But we all have the same rights, wherever around the world. We’re convinced of this, and it is the basis of our strategy and policy. •Raped, manipulated and abandoned to die..............23 •Girl child education campaign....................................24 •Don't beat a women, rather beat the drum!...............27 •Shun the rape prevalence.............................................29 WOMEN TODAY quarterly magazine is compiled, edited and published for the New Sudan Women Federation. writers- Akur Thon and Deng Editor- Simon N. Mwaura contacts P. O. Box 12109, 00100-Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +249911413099 + 249 955120066 +256477126854 Email: [email protected]. Photographs used in this publications are those possessed by New Sudan Women Federation, all rights are reserved for the purpose of publication by the organization. NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION T his is yet a n o t h er exiting, exploring a n d enormous lay out of your favourite reader friendly publication by New Sudan Women Federation. Amidst the long and agonizing period of war that locked our nation over generations past, our people at last can comfortably seat back to reflect their supreme struggle and victory to have overpowered the enemy. This however has come with challenges along that require urgent intervention in streamlining the joy of being an independent nation. In our quest to reconcile the South Sudan’s citizens NSWF undertakes the pride of educating, counselling and encouraging the people to lead a morally upright life, in a civilized manner bonded with love, humility and peaceful coexistence steered by respect to humanity irrespective of race, age and gender. The theme of this edition advocates against Sexual and Gender Based Violence. This pandemic has ruined the reputation of our tribesmen, upon whose archaic cultural practise has remained dominant to degrade particular gender. Amicable as the battle fields has now turned to be recreation sites, we would essentially define the war on SGBV to be complicated 4 EDITORIAL and compressed for it to be extinct. Our overall vision to change the mind set has been received with mixed reactions, for the vice hindering its extinct progress has been as a result of an enemy from within, who happen to be our very own perpetrators of GBV. The healing process has attracted a tremendous success as I feel very pleased to acknowledge the support from our donor bodies and partners, whom I commend without their support we couldn’t have made it this far. The NSWF operates in 13 counties within 3 regions in South Sudan. Among the activities that the organization involves to better the lives of women and children include, Legal Aid clinics that and envisaged to create the awareness of women rights through legal education in line with the international Human Rights Convention and the Movement Laws and oppose to any other laws discriminatory against women rights. The Adult literacy programme seeks to provide women with adult education that would not only make them literate and numerate, but will also help them acquire skills for self-reliance. Sexual and Gender Based Violence campaign is among our latest programme to initialize, the impact generated THE WAKE OF A NEW DAWN determined by the short period since its inception proves the dire urge from community members to access information. Driven by purpose to attain the organization objectives as laid in the strategic plan, our team comprising of paralegal officers, field coordinators, and teachers has contributed massively to help transform and quench the desire of our determined community members of the regions they operate from. Service delivery has been positive, recording numerous impacts at society level in appreciating and understanding the women and children rights, which will attribute to a peaceful coexistence and understanding of gender equality across the cycle of service delivery in social, economic and religious spheres. Our doors have remained open during and after the war era, our dream is to spread the gospel in advocating against violation of human rights, across our territorial boarders and beyond international territories. The urge to narrate painful tales of victims close to us has remained our overall focal point, as well as offering counselling and mentorship to victims and even at times taking charge to incorporate those lucky in our activities. D e f y i n g odds to make it big in Education. What is never far from the mind of any young and ambitious teenager raised in the 21st century is the worry of his/her education. One Susan Andrew from Rokon county, irrespective of the twist and turns in the quest of pursuing her dream to become an administrator, she still keeps the hope of making it through with her education path one day. I was born in early 90s as the first born in a family of 6 among them 2 sisters and a brother. My mother had a fairly good academic background, she was employed as a health worker in a local hospital within our area, my father was a farmer, thus it was upon mum’s responsibility to care for the family’s expenses. Those were the better days that we got to free- ly enjoy and experience the outmost laxity one could possibly practice knowing there was enough food for everyone and school fees was paid on time. A couple of years down the line as I was about to clear my high Those were the better days that we got to freely enjoy and experience the out most laxity one could possibly practice knowing there was enough food for everyone and school fees was paid on time. school education, my mum was dismissed from service as a civil servant, the news broke to us, as though the world would end the next morning, since my father had already retired from spending the whole day cultivating at the farm as his age could not allow him. This meant that we would no longer get hand outs for our meagre expenses as pocket money. Life changed abundantly as we now started walking to school, spending the whole day surviving on porridge the only meal served in learning institution as tea break only to return home tired in the evening to stare at the empty cooking pots with both my parents grieved with hunger all day without means to get food. By the grace of God, I cleared my 0 level, my younger siblings got it rough pushing on with faith that something would just be unleashed. Luckily my result over whelmed everyone in my family as I had performed superbly. This boosted my morale to soldier on optimistic that I would essentially make it to the university as the only one in our lineage, which I surely did get an opportunity to enrol in year 2010 to pursue public administration at the University of Juba. Before joining, I earlier on had gotten an employment opportunity as an office cleaner, the proceeds I generated were enough to cater for my first 5 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION school fees. Life continued abundantly while still working part time and learning in the course of the day. As I joined 2nd year, the fees hiked this meant I had to as well advance in earning more to clear my bills on time to avoid being sent away, I strived hard to engage in casual labouring multi tasking as an office cleaner, house wife, and doing laundry. This became my life style, As the wise people quoted, that sometimes the adventures of a life time become life itself, I adopted to perfect my style for the better as there weren’t any other options left for me to try out. Early this year, having saved enough in December, for my 3rd year first semester, the University of Juba was closed following demonstration by students raising their concerns about adopting to the new module in English. The institution was shut down and all students sent home, it has been now 4 months and counting, and we are yet to report back, my greatest worry as of now, is how I will pay my school fees, there shows no chances of me ever reporting back because I have been jobless. 6 D Cases of early and forced marriages in Bor, Jonglei State. uring our visit to Bor, w e found out that cases of early and forced marriages continue to rise. While interviewing parents, community leaders and girls who had been married young, the argument was that girls are considered a source of wealth and they should therefore be ready for marriage at any time. One elder shared his sentiments referring to early marriage as ‘God given’ and that only God can intervene to solve or condemn the issues hindering its progression. For clarity and mutual understanding He advised the gathered members to appreciate everything the way it is, hopefully without loosing faith for the Almighty to change the current state of affairs. We cited a few cases during our visit to Bor as will be discussed below. NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION Married to cub the poverty pandemic in her family D e c e m ber, 2010 Clear y stimulates a faint memory stack to a 16 year old Alek Biar from Bor who was then forced to marry a 54 year old man. To the Best of her knowledge and diligently playing her role to assist her mother in domestic chores, One evening, a man visited their home to secretly meet her uncles and elder cousins and as soon as he was gone, Alek was called in. The uncle informed her that the man who just left was actually her proposed better half, who according to them was the right suitor to marry her, recommending that henceforth, she should ice break to know him. Essentially as any other young girl of her age would do, she raised an eyebrow to express her concern to complain the indomitable action from her superiors, this was received with mixed reactions by her cousins who felt their respect was being neglected by Alek, what followed next was a thorough beating that lastly ended with her being detained inside a room with strict orders to stay there until she could make up her mind to marry the old man. This was howev- er a white elephant as she was still not for the idea of getting married, more so to an old man. The following morning, Alek was summoned by one of her uncle who expressed his concerns following the ultimate poverty struggle that Alek’s mother and siblings were experiencing since their father died. Based on her relative’s opinion, this agonizing situation of Alek’s family could only be solved by her accepting the old man’s hand in marriage, so that he could take care of the family as the bread winner. Alek opposed their remarks and begged to be given an opportunity to go back to school, which according to her understanding would permanently solve her family agony, only if the chance would be granted. Hell broke loose on the mention of school to her cousins, who rained blows on her, to save this intimidation she gave in and agreed to accept the old man’s hand in marriage. Immediately as she accepted this, an invitation was called for the suitor to pay dowry, so he could take his future wife home. Ironically, out of the 70 heads of cattle that he presented to Alek’s relatives as dowry, only 5 were given to her mother and siblings for 7 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION their upkeep, the rest were shared amongst the uncles. Preparations commenced for Alek to go to her marital home and after three days, she was taken in as a duly married wife, only at the age of 16 years. The newly found genesis in Alek’s marriage life kick started her outmost struggle to dutifully play her role as a second wife. Conflict evolved between the first wife and Alek, who did not admire her presence, this was in relations to the frequent provocation and subsequent fights Alek received from the 1st wife. Alek’s husband did not for any reason support her as much as she tried to convince him that she was being mistreated by the first wife. With the frequent provokes and harassment, the old man essentially contravened to punish Alek through beating her thoroughly and considering her a housebreaker who couldn’t leave in peace with her extended family. The other tagline that restricted the man to support her was the fact that she was yet to bear him children. This proved it definite that the suffering would continue. Distressed, she consoled to seek help from her friends, but no signs of hope showed from the people around, Alek sought the only immunity from her jeopardizing state by escaping back to her people. Eventually only the mother 8 ing home close to her family, her life has changed though not amicable as she would have wished, since she is put to custody, without being allowed go anywhere else apart from the church on condition that someone has to accompany her. Alek has however not despaired in life and continues to soldier on with high hopes that one day things will change for the best .Her dream is to go back to school to attain education that would give her a chance for an employment opportunity so that she can possibly support her mother and even her uncle’s. Out of the 70 heads of cattle that were presented to Alek’s relatives as dowry, only 5 were given to her mother and siblings for their upkeep. who understands the pain of her children, Alek was warmly welcomed back home by her mum, but upon the news reaching the ears of her relatives, an immediate gathering was called to evaluate the inhuman act of Alek, to have eloped from her marital home, to relocate back to her mother. Such an act in itself definition was against their culture, dire consequences would therefore be faced by victims with such conduct. The prudent question that bothered her relative most and still unimaginable, was the embarrasment they would feel paying back dowry, which was not an option they ought to consider. To save themselves the hu- miliation, as a matter of course they disciplined Alek before escorting her back to her customary husband, and indicted a warning should she leave again, her mother would in turn bear the burden. Nevertheless, nothing changed much at her marital home, mistreat from the first wife, and subsequent beatings by the husband loomed alive since she still could not bear him a child. Months later, Alek decided to escape again, she went back to her home. Besides her mother and younger brothers, no one else was excited to see her home. Early marriages are ‘God given’ and that only God can intervene to solve or condemn the issues hindering its progression. She is determined to change the outlook of her community on girl child education as well as the place of women in society which would determine their social, economic and religious contribution for the wellbeing of the Newest Republic in Africa, South Sudan. Alek calls on her community to stop valuing cows more than their girl child. She challenges everyone by saying that “if the late Doctor John Garang and all the leaders, led this country with cows and not brains then we would still be in the bush”. She therefore urges the entire South Sudan community to support change and for the government to support girl child education across the country. As much as she is happy be- 9 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION Left at the mercy of herfather, upon the separation of her biological mother A 17 year old Nuer girl, got married to a man three times her age at thirteen years. She was the only child in the family, her dad had divorced the wife. The father took care of her until she reached 13 years, when he decided that she was of the right age and should therefore get married. One afternoon, a man older than her father approached her home and informed her of his plans to marry her. The girl did not believe what she heard and pleaded with the man to let her alone since she was only a child. Falling on deaf ears, the man did not respond to her concerns, rather he assured her to calm down for he was going to settle his case with her elders. That was it, as far as her plea was to be considered, the man never came back to negotiate with her again. He progressed to seek the consent of marriage from her father together with the elders, and the matter was a light issue that only needed a memorandum of understanding. In a pinch of time, dowry was paid and she was peacefully sent to her hus- 10 band. The girl prolonged her period to conceive than her husband expected. This was the cause of her despair. It drew everyone’s attention. In response to the much concern from their society’s reputation, the husband often punished her daily. It happened one The girl prolonged her period to conceive than her husband expected. evening as her husband was fighting with her, he angrily slapped her on the ear, she fell down and that caused her to develop a hearing problem. In fact, we would not have communicated well with her at the time of the interview was it not for her friend who was conversant with her sign language. Feeling feed up with the beating, she escaped back to her home, only to be forced back as the father was not by any chance willing to pay back the dowry. Rejected by her own biological father and the only family member she knew, all her hopes of survival got crashed, thus she had to return to her husband. For awhile life offered her peace of mind when she conceived a baby boy, but this was to be short lived as the husband continued to beat her even after her fulfilling his privilege to be a father. Left without any other choice as the brutal beatings prolonged, The girl gave up her marriage and went back to her father. On seeing her, he knew there was nothing much he could do to save her agony, other than accepting her back. She now lives peacefully with her dad even though more confused with her life. Cases of early and forced marriages in Rumbek, Lake State Married to the dead L ike any other pastoral community in South Sudan, the greed for a large dowry has been the major cause of early and forced marriages in Rumbek Lake State. Yar Makuer who is now 17 years old had a different taste to her marriage path. Two of her women neighbours used to compliment with her how beautiful she was, sharing that their wish would be for her to get married to their brother in the near future. Yar was only ten by then. A year later, the same two women accompanied by others, visited Yar’s home to have a seating with her relatives. They brought alongside with them jew- elleries and a herd of cattle as dowry for Yar, they further pleaded for her uncle’s consent to allow their brother to marry Yar. It was ironically strange that the marriage proposal was made by women in the absence of the groom. Yar later on learnt that the women actually wanted to marry her off to their late brother, which according to their culture was of the norm. It is culturally right amongst the Dinka, for family members of a deceased to marry a wife for him, pay dowry and get another man to bear him children who are then named after the dead man. Yar was quick to inquire who was going to be responsible for her. The women vowed to be with her in whichever situation, 11 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION adding that she would never lack anything as long as they were still alive. Later that evening, Yar pleaded with her uncle, trying to persuade him to cancel the marriage plans. He did not respond, instead called the other uncles for a meeting and revealed to them what Yar had told him. They were not happy with her proposal, for they expected nothing less other than the promised dowry from the suitors close relatives. By all means Yar’s contribution here was very linear, her only obligation was to follow the decision made by her superiors without questioning. As if sounding an alarm, orders were mounted on her, should she reject the marriage, they would essentially kill her. To confirm the seriousness of the matter, the uncle’s purchased spears and showed her to bond their words. Left without choice, Yar accepted to get married. Her family confident with her acceptance had to wait the onset of her menstrual flow. At the age of 11, Yar received her first menstruation. Her uncles on 12 learning this were quick to inform her in-laws that it was now time for them to collect their duly rightful bride. Procedural marriage plans were conducted and exchange of wife with dowry was done before Yar was sent to her new home. Funny though, the man who was to inherit her was actually the diceased’s uncle who already had three wives. sounding an alarm, orders were mounted on her, should she reject the marriage, they would essentially kill her. To confirm the seriousness of the matter the uncles purchased spears and showed her to bond their words. In the verge of trying hard to fulfil her womanhood, three years past and still Yar could not conceive, her in-laws got fed up with her as they could not tolerate a barren wife. Even the women who had vowed to stay put on her side withdrew their support, leaving her to toil and moil so as to cater for her needs. feeling feed up with the jeopardizing standards in her life, Yar decided to go back to her parents. She got Lucky as none of her relatives forced her back. A year later, she got married to a man of her choice. Her relatives perceived not to claim dowry until she could bear a child in her new marriage. Even though her husband from the very beginning was not bothered with her childless state, her in-laws have always been striking hard by insulting her and inciting the husband to divorce her. Yar believes all hope is not lost for her creator would fulfil her wish when the right time avails. Denied only a year to clear her Education 1 7 year old Sarah Yar Mading was married off in October last year. This came to be after a young man of about 20 years, approached her one evening at her home to outlay his intentions to marry her. According to Yar, the man was less concerned with her plea as she was determined to clear her education. Without wasting time, he progressed to her relatives to seek permission. Once the deal was struck, Yar was called to be Good and beautiful girls like her should never be given away to schools to attain education, instead they should marry as soon as they are of age. acknowledged of her superior’s decision. Yar innocently tried to express her concerns to be allowed only for a while till she could finish her education, all in vain, her cry landed on hard surface. Her uncles were so firm with their decision that they freely shared sentiments that good and beautiful girls like her should never be given away to schools to attain education, instead they should marry as soon as they are of age. In response to the mar- 13 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION riage preparation, Yar was restricted from going to school again. Since she was already a legally engaged wife to be, according to their tradition. This meant that her education was no longer important as she was to assume her new roles as a house wife taking care of her family. Yar opted to become stubborn, to sneak out for school, hoping her relatives would feel compelled to allow her immunity till she could clear her 0 levels, in little speck every time she was found out for school, received thorough beatings. Days after the dowry was paid, Yar was taken to her marital home. Their Life as a married family was welcomed with a myriad of challenges for the house head was jobless. She resorted to brewing local brew so as to lead a sustainable life. Though forced to engage with an illegal activity to make ends meet, Yar maintains that those of her age lucky to school should utilize the opportunity positively so that they don’t end up wasting their life’s to immoral deeds for the same would only pull down the country’s economy. She calls on her community to shun forced and early marriages to offer young boys and girls equal chances for the development of Lakes state and that of the entire Republic of South Sudan. 14 S Not yet time, but am already booked ome of the stories we experienced got so emotional to our team members, among them was a 9 year old Elizabeth Nyantoch who was drown out of school by her father following a man of 28 years working in Rumbek town, paid 30 heads of cows to book her as his future wife, with a promised herd of 80 more when she receives her menstruation to confirm her womanhood. Funny though her father maintains should there avail a higher bidder willing to offer more than the first bidder the suitor with more would take her away. Elizabeth is now at the mercy of her father’s greediness, her mother’s foul cry has been received with mixed reactions at times leading to be beaten, the relatives more than happy, always remind her that she is engaged and should therefore adopt the roles of a wife. Only at the age of 9 years Elizabeth can only wait for her life pages to unfold, with a clear mind that she can only do nothing to help the situation other than investing more patience for fate to intervene. Should there avail a higher bidder willing to offer more than the first bidder, the suitor with more cows would take her away. 15 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION evening recited to Aruaai how her mother was being mistreated back home. Believing blood to be thicker than water, she felt compelled and agreed to give in to save her mother from the agony. On her very arrival, the relatives released the mother and without further ado, called for a meeting with the suitors, who a week later showed up to pay dowry before taking their newly found bride home. It’s finally payback time S arah Aruaai Muorchol received her first menstrual flow last year in July at the age of 12. Soon after her people learnt about the news, they become so excited. As such, the relatives insinuated to approach her with happy endurance that she was now ready to bring wealth back to her people like the other ‘good girls’ in the area. Suddenly, her school life was cut short by her people who claimed that they were in the process of preparing her to adopt her future life with her husband. In their own understanding, allowing Aruaai to attend school would fuel the loop holes in giving up chances of ac- 16 quiring a 100 plus cows. This would as well provide opportunities to young and un wealthy boys to take advantage to mess her up. Only a few months passed, and a young man from a wealthy family showed up to request Aruaai’s hand in marriage. Besides her mother and her paternal uncle eveybody else was for the idea, thus they could not stop the grieve to save their daughter. Without wasting time, arrangements were planned for the suitors to pay the bride price. The suitor was a high school pupil, his elders were ready to pay the a hundred heads for the bride. Back at Aruaai’s place she was matching up in arm trying to persuade her elders to give her only a few months to clear her education. However her efforts did not add up, the deal had been sealed. In the quest to save her from this marriage, Aruaai’s mother one evening sent her away from the village to go stay with a friend up country. This kick started the verge of her uncles search for her where abouts. Their quest was however not forth coming, no one had the answers they were expecting, her close friends were molested by being beaten thoroughly after being perceived to have hidden her, but they knew non of Aruaai’s whereabouts. Stuck at the extreme end in solving their puzzle, the uncle’s resorted to summon Aruaai’s mother, who was already prepared to sacrifice her life to save her daughter from being married off. They demanded she reveal any news that regarded her daughter‘s escape or else she would be beaten to death or be disowned from the family. Aruaai’s mother was ready for anything, she remained mime. To punish her for not taking her dutiful responsibility as a parent, she was beaten and detained for four days without food. Women from around tried to convince her to outlay her daughters where about, but she was not ready to do so. The old woman whose house Aruaai was hiding in, had been hearing of her friends suffering, she one Though married Aruaai kept her hope of schooling alive. This prolonged her period in settling in marriage, during the few lucky chances she managed to meet her mother, she got inspired to boost her faith, her mother strongly believes that a day would come for Aruaai to be rescued by the grace of God. This certainly came to be fulfilled when Aruaai opted to escape from her marriage to return to her parents. Her father was so disappointed with the daughter’s move, just Allowing Aruaai to attend school would fuel the loop holes in giving up chances of acquiring a 100 plus cows. as he was about to punish her for acting against their tradition, one of her uncle arrived, heaven sent the uncle defended her niece, commanding his brother to spare his anger, as it may lead to a more complicated case, he pleaded with the father, should he take course to punish her daughter if she succumbed the loss would much be felt in their homestead not to the grooms side, for the husband would marry yet another wife, while else they would be left to bear the burden of burying their dead. These words compelled Aruaai’s father to consider her quest. This marked the end of Aruaai’s grieve as she was finally offered a platform to explore her knowledge desire in attaining education, when she got to be enrolled back at the Rumbek Adult Education. She is now so determined to finish her studies. Aruaai’s interview with our team was a unique kind on its own, she freely expressed her mind, without fearing to be victimized by those to read her story as she strongly commend “I will never abandon the girl child problems in our society because they are indeed our very own issues, that only requires our attention to help resolving, my deeds are particularly not for my wellbeing rather for my 4 year old sister who falls to be vulnerable when she becomes of age.” 17 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION A luel Mayen who is now 13 years old was born in Khartoum and lived there with her mother. They returned to reunite with their family living in South Sudan when the country seceded from the North. Their father had separated with her mother back while she was pregnant with Aluel. The happy reunion of this family was cerebrated with much anticipated joy as the existence of Aluel as young as she was, was in itself enough reason to celebrate, with preparation put underway to marry her off. While in Khartoum, Aluel was in class four.Neither could she imagine her coming back to her origin would jeopardize her education. Of course, they were happy to be home and close to be with their people, but all hope was lost when a 28 year old man visited the father to request for Aluel’s hand in marriage. The news was broken by her father one evening, Aluel could not believe her ears, she innocently tried to defend her position as a young kid, but her father was not ready to receive her query, he instead progressed to punish her for disrespecting his wish, her mother intervened in trying to rescue her daughter from the mighty hands of her father, but he was too strong and instead went ahead beating them simultaneously, 18 Without wasting time for education! W Back to my land of origin with excitement, only to please my people more! he insisted that his wife should be on the forefront in assisting her daughter to know the young man. As the mother developed hesitance in implementing the command, Aluel’s father took up the task to try out means of icebreaking her daughter’s relationship, he made it an obligation and resorted to invite his daughter’s supposed husband daily and insisted that she spoke to him. Even though Aluel still holds back to avoid her proposed suitor, the mother has threatened to elope with all her children should their father press on to marry off their 13 year old daughter. Aluel has already lost hope of finishing her studies here in South Sudan on time, with high hopes that she may get a chance to be en- rolled for Adult Education in their county, only if the father withdraws his ambitions of marrying her off, or when the mother manages to escape and divorces her husband. ”For the short period that I have been here, I have witnessed and heard a variety of painful tales of young girls being forced to marry for their relatives to accumulate wealth paid as dowry. I only wish for a miracle to happen and finish the herds of cattle present in our society for they are the root course for the agony experienced by young girls in our state”. e took time to re- search and hear the stories from learning institution, this journey took us to Rumbek girls primary school, where we sought to inquire details of the prevalence of school drop outs. As we got to the schools office, we found the head teacher already in a class session, so we had to wait till he finishes so that he could address us. As we waited in the office it compelled us to learn that the school had experienced a total of 69 cases of drop outs in the academic year 2011 in a span of 3 months. Among the drop outs included: 1 lady drop out in grade 3, 8 pupils in grade 4, 10 pupils in grade 5, 14 students in grade 6, while 16 and 20 had dropped out of grades 7&8 respectively. With such recorded findings it was most likely that the girl child education was not progressing in the county of Rumbek, Lake state. The findings were later confirmed by the school’s principle Mr. Moses Kaman, who explained that these was as a result of lack to proper sensitization to the community and lack of concrete laws to address the violation of girl child rights in attaining education. He shared a firsthand experience of a young girl by the name Tabitha Nyankuer, among the best performing student in her class who was forced to drop out of school to get married to an old man who had paid dowry to her relatives without seeking her consent. The case drew attention from community members who flocked to the school compound to witness as Tabitha tried to convince her relatives to allow her more time so that she could finish her eighth grade next year. All in vain, she was denied consent and forced to follow orders from her superiors. When she begged whether there was a way that the school principle could help either by adopting her till she clears her schooling, Mr. Kaman responded by commenting that the matter was beyond his capability, and thus wasn’t entitled to such authority as a civil servant to take and resolve cultural ethics without consulting or following appropriate procedures. Left without choice Mr. Kaman could only stand besides and watch her student being forcefully drowned out of school by her own relatives. This painful experience compelled him to initiate an advocacy methodology to be holding dialogue sessions with the members of his society, which has now upgraded to an annual forum that is held each year and involves parents and politicians to concede at the school compound to evaluate and deliberate issues affecting the girl child education with a resolution on means to solving them. 19 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION C hristina Ajok was never forced into marriage. Thus, she married her boyfriend after courting for 3 years at the age of 17. With newly confirming their wedding vows and settling happily as a married couple, Ajok realised that she could not conceive, this sounded an alarm to her husband who resorted to decreasing his time at home, in spending more time drinking with his buddies. This was followed with frequent complaints and quarrelling, and even at times engaging in fights, all owed to her inability to bear her husband a child. Ajok defended her Men are never satisfied! position in trying to convince that children were a blessing and a gift from the most high God who delivers at his own convenient time. A year later Ajok conceived a son, in retrospect of fully sinking to enjoy the fruits of their marriage, the husband continued with his old behaviours, quarrelling and beating her up for simple mistakes and still spending more time drinking only to go home late at night. Ajok gathered her conscious and opted to walk out of this marriage that wasn’t promising, to live with her par- ents. Without even caring to know her whereabout, ‘’the husband hasn’t bothered to inquire about the wellbeing of our son, my life has transformed as am now a grade 3 pupil at Rumbek girls primary school”. Am determined to finish my education to become a better citizen of our republic so as to raise my son and train him to become a responsible young man with dignity not like his father.’’ ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ALL HOPE IS NOT LOST. T by Simon N. Mwaura 20 he early and forced marriage pandemic has been partially decreasing in the New Sudan Women Federation operating zones where paralegal officers have pinched camp to interact and counsel victims of Sexual and gender based violence. It is however an alarming tone to note that the mystery behind such conduct is engraved to a complicated custom one with deep rooted cultural practise. Nevertheless, based on the feedback and interview conducted, some of the tales are steered by greed to accumulate more wealth paid in dowry, while else other courses are as a result of the ever looming prevalence of illiteracy among the adult population. It is with utmost concern that the cases reported could have been avoided only if the community was empowered adequately in accessing information and training on GBV. The paralegal scouts have essentially played a major role in responding adequately to service delivery in initializing and offering a supportive arm to victims of S&GBV and as well as following up cases for perpetrators to be persecuted under the governing rules as set out in the human rights charter. Driven by passion our country’s battle fields are no more, the bullets have gone silent but the war on violation of human rights has steered grieve and desire to change the whole life style of women and children of our sovereign state. Background New Sudan Women Federation (NSWF) is an indigenous non-profit-making, non-governmental organisation working for the improvement of women’s social, political, legal and economic status in the South Sudan. Vision A dignified, knowledgeable and respected Sudanese woman. Mission To improve women’s socio-economic and political status, and the recognition of their human rights, towards granting them full participation in the development of the New Sudan and full benefit in the development outputs of the New Sudan. NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION CENTRE REALITY CHECK UP decreased with time as our campaign has generated moral and impacted the comm u n i t y members to adapt to change. As an exit orplacement strategy to some of the reported cases, we at times seize Mrs Susan Peremona Field Officer, to engage our Chairlady NSWF in Mundri County beneficiaries with mentorhe Mundri ship programmes, as well county cen- as to endorse them in betre, a branch coming registered memof NSWF has bers of the organization partially ac- therefore directly contribcomplished uting the centre to impleits goal. We ment and achieve its goals. are lucky and proud to have Among the activities that vibrant and active activities the centre runs include; in service delivery to our Adult literacy program, this members of society. The is steered through cambranch engages with legal paigns conducted in comaid Clinic, offering mentor- munity mobilization to eduship and counselling ser- cate young members of our vices to vulnerable victims society to rejoin School so of early and forced mar- as to attain education. Most riages. This is monitored of this advocacy campaign and addressed by Paralegal has received support from officers on the ground that the Government that promake and receive visits vides stationery materials to and from victims in our to the pupils who agree to centre. Ideally our centre go back to school. receives 15 cases of new reports of early marriages on We feel privileged to maina monthly basis. This has tain a good relationship with the members of our T 22 society, reason being, the centre in its endeavours of prospering and contributing towards boosting our republic’s economy, do provide soft loans on friendly interest to the persons willing to exploit their business ventures. This is normally prioritized to women groups who are members of the NSWF, the least lend amount ranges from 600 SSPound -2000 SSPounds. This has greatly boosted and motivated our society to utilize funds adequately and improve their living standards as entrepreneur. This initiative has been made possible in joint collaboration with the Ministry of Gender child welfare who are our main donors. The centre boasts of adversity to the highest. Since its establishment we have been engaging in verse income generating activities and only last year the centre steered the irrigation of maize among other crops and essentially towards November this year, the same would be steered for a vegetable cultivation project to be irrigated besides the river Yei. We have had numerous awareness campaigns, on behaviour change, educating our society to live healthy. The government has also been of great assistance to our centre, whereby during their functions they invite us, and as well when the centre organizes any event the government response towards attendance is very immediate. We are grateful to own a land that was donated by the government which has been infrastructured to have an office that hosts the three managerial officers and a social hall that facilitates the centre’s training sessions and is oftenly hired out also as an income generating activity. Raped, manipulated and abandoned to die. A m a n a Jemila is a 17 year old girl who initially was born in Uganda and moved to South Sudan in April in pursuit of greener pastures. Her relocation to the newest state in Africa marked the insurgence of painful memories that will remain permanent in her brain. As she was fast asleep in her room one evening, a gang of six approached her house, and forcefully made their way in. Caught unaware Amana was shocked with the faces starring at her that evening. The gang took course with four positioning themselves well inside while two were manning outside to warn their colleagues in case an intruder avails. Their next take of action was to manipulate the only innocent girl in front of them, which they did so by raping her simultaneously while taking turns, perceived with no human feelings, before vacating, they progressed to insert a paper bag in her mouth to block her shouts for help and worse still, insert sticks in her private part. Amana passed out on the floor, till the next morning when a good Samari- tan who happened to be her neighbor called, only to find her lay half dead. Traumatized with Amana’s state, the neighbor called out for help and in a niche of time a crowd had already gathered to witness this scary scenario. One person gathered the courage to check whether she was alive, only to find out that even though she was not breathing her heart pulse was beating, they reported the case to Mama Grace Apollo, who went ahead to record a statement with the police before taking Amana to the hospital. She is currently recuperating well with her treatment and very soon would be discharged even though it has been confirmed that her pelvic joint has a problem. before vacating, they progressed to insert a paper bag in her mouth to block her shouts for help and worse still, insertedsticks in her private part. 23 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION big for her to. This gathers together both of the families to evaluate and marry the love birds, but chaos erupted when the cyclist denied the pregnancy. by N.S.W.F drama group Mama monica Mombutu-chair lady I n an opening speech by the chairlady Mama Monica Mombutu Kamanda (N.S.W.F paralegal) she notes that in the lower classes of primary schools, the population of girls is higher than that of boys. Case study proofs that the female perform better than the male counter parts. However this is opposite from class four to higher levels of learning. This pandemic is due to the high rates of early and forced marriages as well as early pregnancies. The N.S.W.F drama group team performed a skit that 24 highlighted the oblivious behaviour as practised by majority of young persons who literally abuse the right of other vulnerable school going pupils. Forced to drop out of school on realising that she is pregnant The skit was about a young girl who mistakenly fellin love with a cyclist who one day offers to take her to school without charging her a fee only to exchange contacts and there after getting close to one another as close friends before finally courting and ending up as sex partners. Forced to drop out of school on realising that she was pregnant, the girl’s life partially becomes messed up as her current responsibility is to Cases of young girls dropping out of school is on the increase. Early and unwanted pregnasies are beckoning for an immediate take of action to curb it. The much needed immunity was finally unveiled by Commissioner Adil who attended the campaign on Girl child education. He vowed to personally deal with those who manipulate school going girls only to dump them when they become pregnant. Nevertheless, in some instances it has been found out that there are tendencies whereby sentenced perpetrators of girl child rights, get to be released from custody before finishing their sentences upon bribing officers. The commissioner hereby strongly stated that any prison warden caught in such an act would be punished with a double penalty to that of the perpetrator. Also as measures in curbing the vice he indicted a rule of banning cell phone in learning institutions. He promised to write letters to principles from the schools around to confiscate and punish students found with mobile phones in schools. commissioner Adil Senderi enjoys a comic drama during drama-a girl boycotts school and goes to her boyfriend (boda cyclist) after receiving a call from her boyfriend Commissioner Adil Senderi addresses the rally. 25 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION DONT BEAT HER BEAT THE DRUM T NPA he world has always been a lonesome place, that human beings in most cases have been reported to feel disgraced as a result of being neglected their rightful dignity and peace of mind one free from harassment. Females over decades have received mythical torture by the dominant male power, this practise has lead to harm and degrade of moral among the female gender owing to frequent brutal caning every time they raise a voice to express their concerns. It is with anguished grieve to report that a male being titled as the head of homestead can freely practise authority to punish the wife any time he feels his powers are being under estimated. In most situations a wife is prone to beating from the husband when she inquires about the where about after turning up late at home, it however worries one a lot to learn that the same punishment would prevail when she confronts the husband to provide funds to sustain the family. Worse still, when she takes up the charge to seek an employment opportunity to work and provide for the family, as well the husband in most cases would practise his freedom to punish so as to protect his responsibility from being evaded by the referred to be weak, and dependent, supposedly destined to stick in doors watching after the kids as a mother. The big and yet to be confirmed theory in an African society setting, thus proofs that a women is considered to be a baby making machine, this is confirmed by the brutal beatings most who step up to question their husband normally face. Tracing cultural practise from certain ethnic groups, a woman, seen as the mother of nation, is mistreated un aware, whereby she is forced to work extremely hard, cultivating whole day under the scorching sun with water as her meal, only to return home evening with the proceeds of her sales from a successful harvest season and issues the money to the husband to allocates its expenses. As 27 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION such, the head of the house to the best of his satisfaction, manages the funds in favour of his own convenience by keeping to himself more and handing out less to the wife for household expenses. His share directly is used luxuriously at lo- cal joints as entertainment, the women’s share that is meagre caters for the food and other basic needs for the house. In lay mans language, the climax reckons, our world revolves and at the same time rotates, when it does that many things are continually changing. The female gender thus stands strong to advocate for her dutiful right, with a slogan don’t beat her, rather beat the drum. Shun the rape prevalence R ape/ defilement is considered as one amongst the worst violation of human rights across planet earth. Extreme measures have been put in place to help curb the vice that continue to ruin lives of the victims. The mystery behind its root course has remained to be a snag cycled by mythical beliefs with continued predominant prevalence across all walks of life. Since time in memorial, the vice has resulted to demoralize the dignity of victims to feel inferior in presence of others, ironically the perpetrators violate the victims rightful obligation in trying to quench their manly desires. The mystery behind research findings show that the pandemic can easily be curbed through strengthening the current laws to keep at bay perpetrators to be sentenced to long term imprisonment. This however would steer and drive the law enforcers to remain watchful in service delivery that would essentially lead to a decreased prevalence towards the vice. “DONT BEAT HER BEAT THE DRUM” 28 A ngelina Micho a 28 year old lady was raped by a gang of 5. This happened while she was on her way to a burial ceremony which in this case was happening during the night according to their tradition. The gang of five over powered her as she tried to free, but her effortless encounter caused her these agony. After the scenario on the following day she reported the case to NSWF who assisted her to record a statement before taking her to hospital. On being discharged the NSWF officers counseled her after being stigmatized by her community members, this boosted her moral to live with a positive mentality QUOTES PLEASE TAKE US BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER THE FIRST MISTAKE. THE GIRL CHILD CRIES FOR A FRIENDLY LIFESTYLE FOR SOUTH SUDAN. HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION CONTINUES TO DEMORALIZE THE SOVEREIGN RIGHT OF YOUNG GIRLS, FORCED AND EARLY MARRIAGES HAVE CAUSED US OUR FREEDOM OF CITIZENSHIP. THE MOTHER CONSIDERED AS THE CRADLE OF LIFE AND SOUL REASON FOR NATIONHOOD, NOW RECKONS TO SUPPORT AND SHUN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION AS WHAT USED TO BE BATTLE FIELD, NOW HAS TRANSFORMED TO BE RECREATION CENTRES. 29 NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION NEW SUDAN WOMEN FEDERATTION Relief and development policies are considered an integral part of the broader peace building process because where poverty and inequality endure after internal conflict, they serve to undermine peace by breeding further discontent and anger. T he final dimension of peacebuilding is reconciliation. Where deep social inequalities are common and populations are divided, impoverished, and devastated by war, institutional and policy reforms aimed at repairing and rebuilding corrosive justice systems cannot alone bring about healing. Policies and programs aimed at reconciliation are vital. These generally involve policies which stress compassion, forgiveness, restitution, psychological and social healing, all of which are designed to help communities live and 30 work together. Mechanisms for pursuing reconciliation include dialogue between former adversaries, experience sharing, compiling records of human rights violations and Truth Commissions depending on the nature and level at which the conflict had advanced. These actions also serve to deter former abusers and provide a lasting legacy and reminder of the atrocities that have occurred. Healing of bitter memories and restoration of trust is a delicate, highly complex process that cannot be rushed and which may take generations to achieve. When reconciliation is rushed before the ripe moment is due, sustainable peace may not be achieved. Justice and reconciliation address the need to deal with past abuses through formal and informal mechanisms for resolving grievances arising from conflict and to create an impartial and accountable legal system for the future, in particular, creating an effective law enforcement apparatus, an open judicial system, fair laws, and a humane correction system. These tasks include exacting appropriate penalties for previous acts and building the state’s capacity to promulgate and enforce the rule of law. Incorporating the concept of restorative justice, justice and reconciliation efforts include both extraordinary and traditional attempts to reconcile ex-combatants, victims, and perpetrators. 31