Warrap State is reviewing traditional customary laws that officials say do not address killing of women and children.

State Advisor for Gender Adior Kuol Amum, says the wanth-alel laws were developed at a time women and children were never killed in conflicts.

As such the laws, which were adopted and applied by chiefs across the Bhar al-Ghazal region since the 1980s, do not punish the killing of these vulnerable groups.

“It was mentioned that it is for whole Bhar El Ghazal. Some people were thinking we are trying to leave them out. We are not leaving them out. The whole idea is what are you seeing? Who is giving ideas? Who is taking action in whatever they see?” Amum said.

“Warrap has come up with idea let us take this forward to some other states and Iam sure they will like it.”

Ms Adior spoke yesterday at a forum in the state capital Kuajok to discuss traditional justice.

The discussion was organized by the UN mission in the country.

“For example, they are trying murder cases. They are trying rape cases and also compensations that are being paid for very serious things like killings, wounding, and the law is telling us that when I burst your eye I pay one cow. These are things that do not work in South Sudan,” Isaac Lopia, human rights official at UNMISS said.

However, she said the customary law courts handle cases outside their jurisdiction. A committee of 40 members has been formed to review the laws.

These include representatives from civil society groups, state government officials and members of parliament.

The team is expected to present its recommendations at another forum within the next two weeks.