3 December 2014 - Aiming to raise awareness about the dangers of domestic violence and early marriage, humanitarian partners today kicked off a sensitization campaign at the UNMISS protection site in the Unity State capital Bentiu.

The campaign, which was organized as part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence, will feature various activities, including songs, dance and drama.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is leading the campaign with support from UNMISS and other UN agencies.

“Stopping any form of violence and promoting peace relies on you and your everyday actions,” said Patricia Gray, the IRC Women Protection and Empowerment Program Manager.

UNICEF Child Protection Officer Franka Imoyo called on boys and girls to take their future seriously.

“We have some negative traditional practices whereby we force children to marry and stop them from going to school,” she said. “Your future is education, not getting married when you are still young. You want to build this nation.”

Five spaces for adolescent girls were opened in the protection site. The spaces are intended to be a place where the girls have an opportunity to express their opinions and frustration.

“The spaces will be a venue for girls like me to get involved in educational drama, besides helping us to forget the situation we are in,” said 14-year-old Maria Nyauay.