The Minister of Gender and Social Development in Tonj State has cautioned traders against sexually exploiting young girls and women using money.

Mabil Ater accused some Sudanese traders of violating laws by sleeping with children and committing adultery, citing a case where a 13-year old   girl in Tonj East was defiled by a Darfurian trader.

“I just want you not to be in conflict with laws, a girl who is 13, 14 and 15 is not an adult, when she says she wants money to sleep with you, she is not an adult. If anyone not only Muslims, anyone in South Sudan or in Tonj here is found going with such children, that child and that man will be in conflict with laws,” stressed Ater.

Ater told the traders during Eid al-Adha celebrations last Friday that they are free to marry women in Tonj provided that they consult the parents and reach an agreement.

The minister noted that the current economic crisis left women and young girls exposed to sexual exploitation by rich men.