16 December 2011 - To educate students about human rights and boost their knowledge of defenders, UNMISS human rights unit in collaboration with the Human Rights Forum held a quiz for students in Western Equatoria State.

Students from Yambio Secondary School and Yabongo Girls Secondary School in the capital Yambio participated in the contest, which was conducted under the theme "Celebrate Human Rights Defenders" in line with this year's 10 December Human Rights Day commemoration.

"When students know more about human rights defenders and the concept of basic rights, they will be able to report any case related to human rights abuses," said Bashir Ahmed, a chairperson of the Human Rights Forum of civil society groups in the state.

"We believe students can encourage and promote human rights messages inside the community as they know more about it," he added.

Quiz topics included the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; universal conventions on political, social and economic rights; gender and human rights; the rights of juveniles; conventions on the prohibition of torture; and inhuman treatment.

Yambio Secondary School emerged victorious after a hotly contested but inspirational competition. The 30 students – 15 from each school – who participated were rewarded with t-shirts and notebooks by UNMISS.

Patience Twesigyd, a teacher from Yabongo Girls Secondary School, said the quiz would educate students about basic facts on human rights and strengthen their understanding of their fundamental rights and duties.

"It is also a challenge to them to look for more information or to research more about human rights and to defend their rights and to respect others as well," Ms. Twesigyd said.

Stella Wilson, a student from Yambio Secondary School, said the quiz was useful to her as well as to other students. "This quiz enables us to know more about human rights and it could encourage us to teach our family and others about the importance of human rights."

Jane John from Yabongo Girls Secondary school said the contest had increased her knowledge about women's and children's rights and the role of human right defenders in society.