UNICEF estimates that more than half of all South Sudanese girls were married or in a culturally recognized union before they were 18 years old. One out of three girls had been made pregnant before they were 15 years old.
The aim of the radio dramas is to raise community awareness on the negative effects of child marriages on girls and societies at large. The radio dramas will help stimulate a debate within the communities and can hopefully contribute to ending the practice of child marriage in the country. Preliminary results of a survey conducted by UNICEF on knowledge, attitudes and practices around child marriage in South Sudan indicate that 40 per cent of the respondents agree that even if a girl does not want to marry, she should honor the decisions of her family; and one out of three of the respondents agree that a girl should marry once she starts menstruating, which can be as early as 12 years of age.
These findings illustrate the deeply rooted believes and practices held by adults. They significantly contribute to gender inequality. The results of the survey will be made public later this year. The first five pilot episodes of the radio dramas are being broadcasted in English and Arabic.
Listener group discussions and feedback will be gathered as a basis for ten additional episodes that will be broadcasted later. The radio dramas on child marriage are broadcasted on following radio stations; the radios can provide more information about the broadcasting schedule: Eye Radio Juba , City Together with our partners, we work in countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
Violence prevention and reduction among youth and adolescent. A story of a passionate case worker helping gangs in Rajaf detention Centre. Home Press centre. Media contacts Yves Willemot. Related topics Child marriage.
