Local authorities in Luri County near Juba, have committed to putting an end to conflict-related sexual and other gender-based violence. They did so during a two-day workshop held in the Gurei area.
The aim of the training, which drew 25 officers from various security services and a few community leaders, was to equip participants with an understanding of how to deal with the all-too frequent incidents of violence affecting women occurring in the war-torn country.
“As the national army, it’s our duty to respect, and fulfil the rights of our mothers and sisters who are part of the community we are protecting,” said Corporal Garang Mou, a military police officer serving with the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces.
Supported technically by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan’s expertise on human rights and gender issues, the training was conducted in collaboration with the organization Daughters of Mary Immaculate. Attendees were made taught how to create awareness about and the skills necessary to properly report incidents of violence against women.
Private Josephine Kapuki, serving with the National Prison Service for South Sudan, believes that parents must take a greater role in educating girls at home about risks and possible consequences.
“We need to inform them (girls) about how they can identify threats and expected behaviours of perpetrators, so that they can report any suspicions to us. Our daughters must know that when one is raped, the pain lasts for the rest of one’s life,” said Kapuki, herself a mother of three.