16-year old girl auctioned on Facebook for marriage

South Sudan lawyers have condemned an online auction for the marriage of a 16-year old and are urging the government to shut down the auction.

In a recent Facebook post for the auction, a photo shows a tall, expressionless girl standing next to a shorter man who is smiling broadly.

According to Voice of America, the post, dated Oct. 25, says the leading bidder for the girl has offered 500 cows and three cars for her and says other men have joined or are planning to join the bidding.

With a smiley face emoji, the post reads, "Competition is perfectly allowed in Dinka/Jieng culture." In a reference to the girl's height, it says, "The kids of the winner are guaranteed for NBA slots." 

The acting director for South Sudan's National Alliance for Women Lawyers, Monica Adhiue, calls the auction shocking and sad.

"The practice is a gross human rights violation and violates the rights of a girl. It does not only deprive the girl child of education and limit her future opportunities in her life, but also increases the risk of violence, jeopardizes her health, reduces the girl child to a property, and deprives her of the right to choose," Adhiue told VOA.

High ranking government officials are some of the bidders in the auction according to the women lawyers' group.

Lawyer Adhiue says they tried in vain to reach the girl's family in an attempt to take down the Facebook post.

She is urging national government officials to investigate the matter and suspend any officials taking part in the bidding.