Dowry and Division: Marc Sommers on Voice of America

In association with the recent publication of Dowry and Division:  Youth and State Building in South Sudan, author Marc Sommers discusses the report on Friday December 2, 2011 on Voice of America - South Sudan. The report assesses the situation, priorities, and expectations of South Sudan's massive youth population in the context of building the new nation. Drawing from field interviews with youth, adults,and government and nongovernment officials in the capital, Juba, the mainly pastoralist oil-rich state of Unity, and the mainly agricultural state of Western Equatoria, this report found that strikingly conservative cultural norms are mixing with new social and economic changes to create a host of pressing challenges. The report highlights the impact of dramatic dowry (bride price) inflation on youth and finds that it is stimulating rises in insecurity, crime, and population growth while intensifying threats against and control over female youth. 

In addition to Sommers' interview, you can listen to the full VOA program here.

Explore Further

• Countries and Continents: South Sudan