Unity calls for new girls' laws
Unity calls for new girls' laws
UNMISS, 17 Oct 2013
URL: http://unmiss.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=34
17 October 2013 - Recommending new laws to protect girls’ rights, Unity State Ministry of Education in collaboration with UNICEFcelebrated International Day of the Girl Child today in the capital Bentiu.
Speaking during the event (traditionally celebrated on 11 October), state Education Technical Advisor Wiyai Dak said South Sudan could not be built without girls’ participation, stressing the need to educate them so that they could participate effectively.
“The State Government will soon introduce news laws that will protect girls,” Mr. Dak said. “Now we have the Child Act and we must implement this law. If you (marry) … a girl under age, you will be questioned on this.”
Unity Inspector for Girls Education Grace Dalat said girls should be allowed to go to school like boys, as nation building was a collective responsibility.
“Girls are part of society, why do we discriminate (against) them?” Ms. Dalat asked. “They have the same rights as boys.”
Maria Nyajime Ruai, a 17-year-old student at Bentiu Secondary School, called on the state and national governments to enact laws protecting girls from harmful practices in the community.
“I am appealing to the state government and national Government to urgently make laws that can protect us … from harmful practices such as early and forced marriages and … that can clearly define our roles at home,” Ms. Ruai said.
Last month, Unity State’s Ministry of Education in partnership with Windle Trust International, launched a five-year girls’ education programme to support girls in school financially.
Speaking during the event (traditionally celebrated on 11 October), state Education Technical Advisor Wiyai Dak said South Sudan could not be built without girls’ participation, stressing the need to educate them so that they could participate effectively.
“The State Government will soon introduce news laws that will protect girls,” Mr. Dak said. “Now we have the Child Act and we must implement this law. If you (marry) … a girl under age, you will be questioned on this.”
Unity Inspector for Girls Education Grace Dalat said girls should be allowed to go to school like boys, as nation building was a collective responsibility.
“Girls are part of society, why do we discriminate (against) them?” Ms. Dalat asked. “They have the same rights as boys.”
Maria Nyajime Ruai, a 17-year-old student at Bentiu Secondary School, called on the state and national governments to enact laws protecting girls from harmful practices in the community.
“I am appealing to the state government and national Government to urgently make laws that can protect us … from harmful practices such as early and forced marriages and … that can clearly define our roles at home,” Ms. Ruai said.
Last month, Unity State’s Ministry of Education in partnership with Windle Trust International, launched a five-year girls’ education programme to support girls in school financially.