GREATER PIBOR – Over 200 cases of gender-based violence have been reported in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area this year.
This was revealed during engagement between local authorities and community members, facilitated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), to discuss how to strengthen protection for the most vulnerable.
“It’s heartbreaking to see how many cases of gender-based violence, child abductions, and forced recruitment that we receive,” shared Alan Luka, Director General of the Jonglei State Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare.
According to his accounts, in the past few weeks alone, several abducted children and gender-based violence victims have been reported to his office and are now trying to heal from their experiences in dedicated protection facilities.
The types of violent abuses most reported range from sexual violence against women and girls to early and forced marriages, abductions, forced recruitment into armed forces, and road ambushes targeting civilians.
Together, the participants discussed ways to reduce these incidents and improve protection.
“We all need to do better but we also need the support of our authorities to strengthen law enforcement and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable,” urged community member, Yayi Lilono Nyiboy.
She also expressed concern about increasing threats used by men in her community to force families into “giving away” their underage daughters.
“We already have laws in place. What we need now is the type of enforcement that will allow us to claim our rights. If you ask many parents around here, they will tell you stories of their daughters being forcefully taken from them. When they report this to the government or security forces, they are often referred to the judicial route as being the appropriate mechanism for that but many of us don’t even know how to approach something like this.”
During the engagement, UNMISS officers reiterated the six grave violations against children in armed conflict, namely the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and groups, killing and maiming, sexual violence, attacks on schools and hospitals, abduction, and the denial of humanitarian access to children in need.
Emphasizing the individual responsibility of each community member, participant James Nyaro highlighted the costs of turning a blind eye to these violations.
“As community focal points responsible for tracing cases related to sexual abuse and violence, we need to understand that children are particularly vulnerable when armed conflict breaks out. So, it is also our responsibility to make sure that we act as if any child we see was one of our own,” he said.
To turn his words into a reality, the engagement also included the formation of 35 child protection focal points, including 13 women, who will continue to facilitate interactive discussions on child protection concerns and report any violations to the authorities.
“What is apparent from these discussions is the need for all of us to join efforts to protect women and children. Considering many children being abandoned and left without proper care, we urge community members to remain aware and take care of those most in need. Our mission will continue to support you in these endeavors,” appealed Okelo Christopher, UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer in Bor.
By Achol Kur Marial
