Piece Description

Alfred’s story: Youth journalist reports on early marriage in Southern Sudan

Early marriage still happens with some regularity in Sudan, most often for girls, who are sometimes as young as 12 when they’re married off. Marriage at such an early age can be an obstacle to further education; it can also result in complications should the girl become pregnant before her body is adequately developed.

‘People will not like you’

Alfred became aware of the problem after his friend Stella became pregnant at 15.

"I wanted to go to Senior One [class in school] but I'm pregnant, so I can't go," Stella tells Alfred in an interview he conducted last month as part of a radio story on the problem of child marriage in Southern Sudan.

In a warning to other girls in similar circumstances, Stella recalls being ostracized by her friends and her community.

"People will not like you, no one will be your friend and you'll stay alone," she says, adding: "My sisters, I want to tell you like this. Don't run to marriage. Don't attempt to get married at an early age. Giving birth is very difficult."