Admin
Reported by : Al-Naeem Mubarak Kuol
The annual 16 Days campaign was launched to emphasize the importance of not tolerating violence against women and the urgent need to take action to prevent assaults, report incidents, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and provide essential support to survivors.
The campaign addresses the challenges faced by survivors and highlights the importance of empowering women through access to justice and education as a means of driving change.
The campaign was launched in Bentiu, South Sudan, where the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (#UNMISS) and other stakeholders agreed that gender equality is fundamental to promoting education for all. This, in turn, will help reduce gender-based violence and end impunity.
Dictor Chuetyier Koryom, Legal Affairs Advisor in Unity State, stated:”Approximately 20 cases of gender-based violence have been addressed in Bentiu, demonstrating the government’s commitment to tackling this pressing issue. The upcoming mobile court sessions, scheduled for December 2024, will prioritize these cases, reaffirming the state’s dedication to delivering justice for survivors.”
Rose Nyaboth, Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, called for deploying more policewomen, noting that their presence makes it more comfortable for survivors to report cases of abuse.
Deputy Governor of Unity State, Tor Tunguar Kueigong, emphasized that eliminating harmful traditional practices, including early and forced marriages and discouraging girls from attending school, is a government priority.
On behalf of UNMISS, Acting Head of the Bentiu Field Office, Sireh Jabang, reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to protecting civilians.
He stated:”We, along with the entire United Nations family, call for action to end all forms of gender-based violence, particularly when it is used as a weapon during intercommunal conflicts.”
