Activism against Gender-Based Violence in South Sudan

Theshloach Wie and Dorcus Deng

The VSF-Suisse South Sudan Country Office in partnership with the State Ministry of Gender Child and Social Welfare, as well as UN, international and national organizations celebrated the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence in Aru Boma, South Sudan.

Communities in South Sudan continue to experience Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially women and girls. GBV manifests in many forms: physical, sexual and emotional violence, such as rape, sexual harassment, psychological, denial of resources, growing levels of intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual exploitation, early or forced marriage and others. In most cases, survivors have experienced multiple forms of GBV. High rates of illiteracy, ignorance, rigid and harmful cultures, limited resources contribute to increased rates of GBV.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 6,779 incidents of GBV have been recorded in South Sudan from January to September 30, 2024. 99% of the survivors were women and girls, with 30% of the survivors being children and adolescent. These figures represent only a snapshot, as many cases likely go unreported due to the earlier mentioned reasons.

Every year, South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State through the leadership of the State Ministry of Gender Child and Social Welfare participates in this campaign that starts from 25th November to 10th December with a specific objective to raise awareness, mobilize action and advocate for policy changes to eliminate GBV. Under the theme Unite to end GBV among women and girls, over 1,000 participants attended the event to commemorate the 16 days of activism against GBV comprising of UN, international and national agencies, women led/rights organizations, policy makers, schools, community-based organizations, opinion leaders (religious and traditional leaders) at the state and community level.

Dorcus Deng and Rina Tumalu

The event was purposely taken to the community level to have a greater impact through increased awareness on GBV, prevention and responses among people in the communities, strengthened policy commitments from government, stakeholders and communities including strengthened partnerships and coordination between communities, government and partners.

Mr. Isaac, Boma Chief, shared the following feedback during the colorful event:

„I appreciate the State Ministry and its partners for coming to our place today. As you have seen for yourselves, most if not all our girls already have children, and this is because no one talks to them about the dangers. There is little or no support for school children due to lack of resources. We are lucky to host such an event for the first time in our community and we believe when visitors come, they bring good luck. As such, this program for girls, women, boys, and men is deeply appreciated, and it should be accompanied by initiatives in education, food security and livelihoods (FSL), health, and protection to support our community.“

The Hon. Minister Huda Michael Laila had this to say: „Any act done forcefully to any girl, women, men, and boy is considered violence. Parents who don’t educate children about it are guilty, but it is our collective responsibility to unite and end GBV. As a government, with the help of all the partners who are here and in South Sudan, we shall bring all the trainings and services you need to support Aru Boma to fight against GBV.“

Ms. Stella Johnson, chairperson of the organizing committee concluded: „Change begins with each individual; together, we can collectively act and bring the change that we need.“