The mother of a young girl who was reportedly set to be a child bride has left a safe house in South Sudan to join her pregnant daughter, defying her family’s wishes and cultural traditions. Deborah Kuir Yach made headlines last year when she opposed a competition for her daughter’s hand in marriage, insisting that her child Athiak Dau Riak was only 14. Fearing retaliation from her husband and family, Yach had to leave her home in Juba and go into hiding. After eight months in a shelter, the 41-year-old mother, who has seven children, has traveled to Nairobi, where Athiak is believed to be staying with relatives. Although Yach was perceived as a victim of child marriage by those who condemned the wedding, Athiak sided with her family members who arranged it. Yach hopes to be with Athiak when she gives birth this month, as is the Dinka tradition, and offer guidance in motherhood. She also plans to protect her other daughters from a similar fate by enrolling them in school in Kenya.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/mar/11/mother-of-teenage-bride-athiak-dau-riak-south-sudan-hiding-pregnant-daughter