JMEC: The “devastating” gender-based violence in South Sudan is deplorable
February 23, 2017 (SSB) — We must tackle rise in “devastating” gender-based violence in South Sudan, says JMEC Deputy Chair Amb. Njoroge
Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) including rape, abductions and conscription of child soldiers in South Sudan have increased in the past years and stakeholders must find ways to tackle it, the Deputy Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Amb. Gen. Augostino Njoroge has said.
He was speaking as he opened a two-day workshop on SGBV in Juba. He said although men and boys have also fallen victims of such abuses, the majority of reported victims are women and girls.
“The impacts of these violations are devastating on the health and livelihoods of all affected victims and their communities,” he said.
South Sudan Women Empowerment Network (SSWEN) and the Association of Media Women in South Sudan (AMWISS) organized the workshop, supported by JMEC.
The workshop, entitled ‘Reporting on Sexual and Gender Based Violence’ was aimed at highlighting ethical and practical challenges related to media reporting on SGBV, the stigma associated with it and obstacles faced by journalists in its coverage.
Among those targeted for the training were South Sudanese women in media, civil society organizations and legal practitioners.
“The media is a powerful tool in campaigns against gender based violence and shaping perceptions and opinions of communities as well as policy makers. When committed in the context of conflict, these violations constitute crimes under both South Sudanese and international humanitarian law,” he said.
Amb Njoroge said he was encouraged that the Transitional Government of National Unity considers the matter of Conflict Related Sexual Violence as a matter of great concern.
JMEC has previously participated at the High-Level Dialogue convened by the Ministry of Gender and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in September last year, in an effort to ensure the implementation of the National Action Plan on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions on women, peace and security.
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