By Chol D. Johnson
South Sudan Council of States Deputy Speaker, Mary Ayen Mijok, has raised concern over widespread bullying and harassment of women on social media, often perpetrated by their own sons.
Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the National High School Sponsorship Program for Orphans and Disadvantaged Students (2026–2029) in Juba, Ayen said women continue to face abuse online.
“In particular, as women, we are facing a lot of bullying, we are facing a lot of abuse, we are facing a lot of harassment that is done by our own innocent sons,” she said.
Ayen noted that politicians also contribute to the problem by sending messages that fuel cyberbullying, abuse, and the spread of misleading information and hate speech.
She announced that the recently adopted Cyber Security and Misuse of Computer Bill will soon be signed into law by President Salva Kiir.
“I want to announce that the parliament has recently adopted the Cyber Security and Misuse of Computer Bill. It was just in January, and I understand that soon it will be ascended to law by His Excellency the President,” Ayen said.
She emphasized that laws are meant to guide human behavior and prevent negative practices from taking root. The act, she explained, provides punishments of up to 10 years or even life imprisonment, making it a serious measure to curb online bullying.
“So, the particular about the act is that there are punishments that may reach even to 10 years or almost to life imprisonment,” she stated.
Ayen stressed that law enforcement agencies and the judiciary must ensure the act is properly implemented. She also underscored that the sponsorship program is about changing mindsets and focusing on national development.
“Transformation of nations begins by changing the mindset, and this program, education, is the tool for this transformation that we are aspiring for,” she said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services, Ateny Wek Ateny, reiterated the ministry’s contribution to the education program through an E-learning initiative.
“Our ministry also has contribution to the education program; the E-learning program which is to educate the public online through a digitalized process,” he said.
Ateny promised that the ministry will provide computers and internet connectivity to Cornerstone Vision Academy High School to facilitate access to the E-learning program.
“We will help by providing internet connection and computers to the Cornerstone Vision Academy High School,” he pledged.
He further urged the public to support the ruling SPLM party in the forthcoming December 2026 elections, saying initiatives such as the sponsorship program reflect the progress achieved under SPLM leadership.
“Progress like this is part of our work, which we could also tell people to vote for us. It is we who brought this sponsorship program,” he said.