South Sudan minister says father who gouged daughter’s eyes should faces severe punishment

JUBA, APRIL 13, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The minister of environment and forestry, Josephine Napon, has spoken out against a horrific act of violence in Warrap State where a man who happens to be a police officer, gouged out the eyes of his daughter after she married against his wishes.

The senior government official called for immediate action from law enforcement agencies to tackle gender-based violence in the country, saying the act of is something which should take place or be condoned in the 21^st century.

“This is something that shouldn’t be happening in the 21st century in the name of culture. I am still shocked and speechless with what I have been seeing on social media about the girl whose eyes were pierced by the father,” she said.

“We should not continue to be silent in the face of inhuman acts against our girls. This also calls for the need to create massive awareness among our people at the grassroots about the importance of girl child education to enable them to become leaders like some of us,” she added.

The victim, Akuot Agany Kuot, has had both of her eyes damaged and is currently undergoing surgery to try to regain her sight.

The father, who has been arrested, claimed that he committed the act to teach his daughter a lesson and prevent her from marrying again. However, his actions have been widely condemned, and Napon called for an end to such violence against women.

The minister pointed out that retrogressive cultures are partly to blame for the increasing number of cases of gender-based violence. She also called for greater awareness about the importance of educating girls, saying that this would enable them to become leaders in the future.

She further on women’s leadership to speak out against gender-based violence and urged well-wishers to provide financial support to help Akuot with her medical expenses.