A young girl on Monday committed suicide by hanging herself from a tree in Paloch Payam in Rumbek East County, Lake State

Makuac Mading, a close relative of the deceased, told Radio Tamazuj that they do not know why she took her life but that the police were investigating the suicide.

“We have no details about the cause for her committing suicide but the police have made some investigation into the matter and are the right people to provide details. We are now mourning for her death,” Mading said.

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization’s (CEPO) coordinator in Lakes State, Daniel Laat Kon, confirmed the incident and said the deceased left a suicide note indicating that certain people were following and gossiping about her.

"She has mentioned about three people in her written note that used to gossip and always follow her wherever she goes,” Laat said. “The three people whom she accused of disturbing her and her suspected boyfriend have been detained by the police and are in Rumbek East County headquarters in Aduel and they will be transferred to Rumbek according to the information we heard.”

He said the deceased did not mention anything to do with pregnancy.

Laat added that the main cause of suicide among young girls in Lakes State is related to violence and mistreatment by parents when controlling their girls because they see the latter as a source of wealth.

“With children, they do not think beyond about the situation they are in but they think about ending their lives and this is what has been happening,” Laat said. “CEPO has been urging parents to always treat their girls with dignity and respect. It is good at least to talk to your daughter.”

He said concerned organizations should come out to raise awareness in the community through radio talk shows and that CEPO is planning a counseling program to mitigate the increasing cases of suicide.