By Gill Bikram Singh 
Mother Reunites with Daughter After Opposing Child Marriage
A South Sudanese mother who opposed her daughter’s marriage has come out of hiding to reunite with her now-pregnant teenage daughter. After eight months in a shelter, Deborah Kuir Yach traveled to Nairobi, where her daughter, Athiak Dau Riak, is staying with relatives.
A Mother’s Struggle Against Forced Marriage
Yach made headlines last year after speaking out against a competition for her daughter’s hand in marriage. She insisted that Athiak was only 14, but family members arranged the wedding despite her objections. Fearing threats from her husband and community, she was forced to leave her home in Juba and go into hiding.
Cultural Obligations and Difficult Choices
Now that Athiak is expecting her first child, Yach has decided to be by her side, following Dinka traditions that require a mother to be present for her daughter’s first childbirth. Despite her previous resistance, she now says the decision about education and the future rests with Athiak and her husband.
Family Conflict and Legal Challenges
Although many condemned the marriage as child exploitation, Athiak stood by her family’s decision and viewed her mother’s opposition as shameful. Meanwhile, Yach, who is now seeking a divorce, revealed that her husband has taken another wife.
Efforts by a South Sudanese lawyer to annul the marriage and prosecute Yach’s husband for marrying off a minor did not move forward. Attempts to bring Athiak back to South Sudan were also blocked by authorities.
A New Future in Kenya
Yach has now relocated to Nairobi with her three younger daughters, determined to protect them from similar fates. Her brother, who also opposed the marriage, is supporting her and ensuring that the girls receive an education. She hopes to eventually move to Canada for a fresh start.