7 December 2014 - A two-day campaign to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse was recently launched in the UNMISS protection site in Bentiu, Unity State.

The campaign, which ended yesterday, was aimed at raising awareness, particularly among vulnerable groups like women and children, on sexual exploitation and abuse.

Participants, including community leaders, women groups, youth, students and children, listened to presentations on vulnerability factors, risks associated with sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as where and how to report in case of such incidents.

“Everyone has the right to his or her body and not to be sexually abused or sexually exploited,” said UNMISS Conduct and Discipline Team Officer Olayinka Adeyemi.

He urged participants to promptly report any act or attempt of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel, humanitarian workers or non-governmental organizations’ staff.

Other activities included dialogue discussions for women groups and youth groups as well as volleyball competitions among youth clubs. Pupils from Unity Primary School also took part in colouring competitions of books with messages about sexual exploitation and abuse.

A highlight of the campaign was musical performances by renowned South Sudanese musicians Beatrice Anthony and Emmanuel Lasu, who sang songs to discourage sexual exploitation and abuse.

The two musicians were selected as campaign ambassadors by the National Taskforce on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, which includes the government, UNMISS, UN agencies and other partners.