04/08/2026
Gender official says early marriage increases fistula cases
David Abuyung Magot, Director of Gender, Child and Social Welfare in Awerial County, Lakes State, stands with students during the distribution of sports equipment. Credit: Courtesy
The Director of Gender, Child and Social Welfare in Awerial County, Lakes State, David Abuyung Magot, has urged parents to stop marrying off their daughters at an early age, warning that the practice is contributing to an increase in obstetric fistula cases among young mothers.
“We will not stop speaking about this issue. We must continue telling parents to allow their daughters to mature before giving them into marriage,” Abuyung said.
Abuyung made the remarks on Monday during a training on the prevention and management of obstetric fistula organized by Doctors with Africa at the Awerial County Health Department in Mingkaman.
Health officials said 15 women have successfully undergone obstetric fistula surgery in Awerial County since the beginning of this year.
They added that most of the patients were young women who had been married before reaching adulthood.
The director encouraged families to support girls in completing their education and protect them from harmful practices that put their health at risk.
“Parents should protect their daughters, support the positive relationships they build while in school, and fulfill their responsibility of caring for them,” he stated.
Obstetric fistula is a serious childbirth injury that occurs when prolonged or obstructed labor creates a hole between the birth canal and the bladder or re**um.
The condition causes continuous leakage of urine or f***s and is largely preventable with timely access to quality maternal healthcare.