The image is used for illustration only. About the author, Jackline Lucky is a South Sudanese female journalist based in Juba, the national capital of the Republic of South Sudan |Photo Credit: Viola Riak|
Author: Jackline Lucky
Juba, South Sudan—According to statistics, a substantial proportion of women aged (15-64) in South Sudan experience GBV either in the form of physical or sexual 13.5 percent violence in their lifetime.
South Sudan ranges second in GBV prevalence rate in East Africa a new study indicates.
Stella, (not her real name) is now a mother of three children and was married off to an older man against her will in 2011, the same year South Sudan gained its independence from Sudan.
Stella’s school journey was cut short at her teenage stage. Her husband, John Michael (identified by this pseudo name) waited until Stella gave birth to three children before he showed his real character identified by domestic violence.
Despite facing GBV in her marriage, Stella held on to the marriage for the sake of her children. She never thought of running away from her marriage until one day, John under the influence of alcohol, attempted to harm her dear life.
“Everything started well until my husband started consuming drugs,” Stella narrated.
“When I gave birth to my second child my husband was still supportive to me and even to my family members and there was no any form of violence in our family,” she added.
In 2021, their marriage turned upside down as John started clowning to a monster and woman’s beater. For three years, Stella has been experiencing domestic violence. One time, a midnight squabble brewed and John bit Stella’s one side of the ear and spat it down.
Stella narrated, “On that day my husband went to a party and he came back at 2:00 A.M. When I asked him, he was like am just a woman whom he married with his own money so I have no right to ask where he moved and he started fighting me not until he bites my ear.”
Stella said he reported the incident to the police and her husband was detained at the police station for two days until the two families decided to plead with the police for his release.
Furthermore, Stella mentioned that her husband beats her all the time whenever he is drunk, and sometimes when she is beaten, she could go to the chief and report.
The woman mentioned that right now she is living near her in-laws and the husband fears beating her because his brothers normally fight for her.
Stella is 27 years old and a Primary Seven dropout pupil who is now doing some small-scale business to survive and able to pay her children to school.
An Eternal Scar on Stella’s Body
“I feel so sad sometimes when I think of my ear but nothing, I can do about it. If I had money, I was going to have surgery. Am also requesting any willing person who is ready to support me for my ear surgery is welcome,” Stella appealed.
As a GBV survivor, Stella encouraged women to report any form of violence they are going through for justice to take its course.
She urged the government to intervene so first when it comes to the issues of domestic violence and also the women’s organizations to support women who are unable to speak for themselves because in most cases women lose their lives in such acts.
Stella concluded by appreciating South African-based Sonke Gender Justice for creating a platform for women to express themselves and share the challenges they go through in life regarding GBV.
Many women and girls in South Sudan are facing difficulties in their marriage especially in the rural areas due to ignorance.
