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Yei – Al-Wadi Newspaper
The Voice for Change organization, in partnership with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), has launched a specialized three-day training workshop in Yei River County, aimed at building the capacity of 70 law enforcement actors in the prevention of and response to Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The training brought together a diverse group of participants, including traditional chiefs, police officers, members of other security agencies, and representatives from civil society organizations. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community justice and protect the most vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls.
During the opening session, Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme urged participants to engage actively in the training and express their views openly. He emphasized that such programs directly contribute to improving community safety, increasing the reporting of GBV cases, and ensuring accountability for perpetrators.
“Effective training in this area not only enhances police performance,” said Commissioner Taban, “but also helps foster a community environment where citizens—especially women and girls—feel safe and trust the security institutions.”
Clement Yupe, Project Coordinator at Voice for Change, explained that professional and empathetic handling of GBV cases by security personnel encourages survivors to come forward and seek justice, helping to break the societal silence surrounding the issue.
Christopher Taharir, Press Secretary in the Commissioner’s Office, confirmed Commissioner Taban’s renewed commitment to supporting such initiatives. He described strengthening the capacity of law enforcement as a crucial step toward building a more just and equitable society for all residents of Yei.
This training comes at a time when calls are growing across South Sudan to bolster legal and social protection mechanisms against GBV—particularly in rural communities, which often lack adequate support services for survivors.
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