Lakes States, South Sudan.
January 20, 2022—A 16-year old girl allegedly committed suicide on Monday by hanging herself from a tree in Paloch Payam in Rumbek East County of Lakes State.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, a close relative of the victim identified as Makuac Mading says that they do not know why she took her life but that the police were investigating the suicide.
“We have no details about the cause for her committing suicide but the police have made some investigation into the matter and are the right people to provide details. We are now mourning for her death,” Mading quoted by Radio Tamazuj to have said.
Mr. Daniel Laat Kon, the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization’s (CEPO) coordinator in Lakes State confirmed the incident and said the deceased left a suicide written note indicating that certain people were following and gossiping about her.
“She has mentioned about three people in her written note that used to gossip and always follow her wherever she goes,” Mr. Kon who got the suicide note of the deceased said.
Mr. Kon added that, three people whom she accused of disturbing her and her suspected boyfriend have been held on by the police and are in Rumbek East County headquarters in Aduel and they will be transferred to Rumbek according to the information Kon claimed to have heard.
Mr. Kon said the deceased did not mention anything to do with pregnancy.
He reiterated that the main cause of suicide among young girls in Lakes State is attributed to violence and mistreatment by parents when controlling their girls because they see the latter as a source of wealth.
“With children, they do not think beyond about the situation they are in but they think about ending their lives and this is what has been happening,” Kon said.
Mr. Kon said he has been urging parents to always treat their girls with dignity and respect.
“It is good at least to talk to your daughter.”, he advised.
According to CEPO Kon, the concerned organizations should come out to raise awareness compaign in the community through radio talk shows and that CEPO is planning a counseling program to minimize the rampant cases of suicide in the country.
