In South Sudan, nearly two-thirds of children are involved in the worst forms of child labor, according to a new government study with Save the Children. The study surveyed over 400 households in seven states and found that 64 percent of children aged five to 17 are forced to work, face sexual abuse, theft, or join armed groups. In Kapoeta South, nine out of ten children work in gold mining, farming, or herding, rather than attending school. Boys often do dangerous work, while girls face forced marriage, household chores, and sexual abuse. Poverty, conflict, floods, and disease have made the problem worse. Many families are aware of the law but cannot protect their children, and most children are unaware that help exists. Education helps protect children, but schools are often unavailable. With hunger, floods, disease, and violence, the crisis is urgent. The government says it will use this study to plan action to help children.

Pray for the children in South Sudan to have access to healthy food, clean drinking water, education, and other basic needs and rights. Pray for an improved economy in all the South Sudanese families  (The Holy Bible, Psalm 72:12).

Pray for the authorities in South Sudan to take immediate action against the child labor system in the nation. Pray for the implementation of more stringent measures to end the practice in the country (The Holy Bible, Matthew 25:40).

News Source: Aljazeera

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