Rampant single motherhood hits Western Equatoria State

YAMBIO – Over 90% of women in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria are single mothers, as the State Legislative Assembly Speaker blames the growing social concern on men, who she claims are avoiding responsibilities.

Ann Tuna Richard, the Speaker of the Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly, says the situation has reached alarming levels, revealing that 95 per cent of women in the state are raising children without fathers.

Speaking to journalists in Yambio on Tuesday, Tuna described the issue as a serious social challenge that requires urgent attention from both families and policymakers.

“It has come to the attention of the Transitional Western Equatoria Legislative Assembly that nearly 95 per cent of women in Western Equatoria State are single mothers. Men impregnate them and then abandon them with the children, failing to take responsibility,” she said.

According to the Speaker, many women are left to raise children alone after fathers walk away following pregnancy, forcing mothers to shoulder the full responsibility of childcare without financial or emotional support.

As a result, many single mothers must independently provide school fees, food, clothing, shelter, and medical care for their children, often without stable income or reliable employment.

Richard said the growing number of single-parent households is creating significant economic strain for women and their families. Many mothers, she explained, struggle to meet basic needs, including paying for education and healthcare for their children.

Beyond financial difficulties, the Speaker noted that raising children alone often leads to emotional and psychological stress. Many mothers must balance caregiving responsibilities with the daily struggle to earn a living, frequently without support from partners.

She also highlighted the social challenges faced by single mothers, noting that some women experience stigma or criticism within their communities despite being victims of abandonment.

In some cases, she added, the economic vulnerability of single mothers pushes them into unstable or risky forms of livelihood simply to support their families.

Richard praised the resilience of women in Western Equatoria, describing them as responsible and hardworking despite the heavy burdens they carry.

“As a woman, I can say that women in Western Equatoria are respectful and very strong when it comes to responsibility,” she said. “They do not deserve to be abandoned. We do not understand why some men run away and leave all responsibilities to women.”

In response to the growing concern, the Western Equatoria State Legislative Assembly has begun exploring legal measures to address the issue.

Richard said lawmakers have introduced a motion to draft a Family Law aimed at holding fathers accountable for neglecting their children.

Under the proposed legislation, men who fail to contribute to the welfare of their children could face legal consequences, including possible imprisonment.

“If you are a man and you leave all responsibilities to a woman to care for your children in terms of school fees, feeding, medical treatment, and other needs, the State Assembly will hold you accountable, and you may be sent to prison,” she warned.

The proposed law, she said, aims to strengthen family structures, protect children’s rights, and ensure that parental responsibility is shared between both parents across Western Equatoria State.