31 October 2014 - Juba Girls Secondary School students called today on the government to enact laws protecting girls and to end Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).

“This law will protect girls and it will reduce school dropouts,” said one of the students, who did not wish to be named. She noted that sexual abuse led to dropout, early pregnancy and death.

“As students of Juba Girls, we should follow and put into effect that we should not be deceived by the government or NGOs (non-governmental organizations),” she added.

The student was among 400 students who participated in the closing ceremony of a one-month SEA campaign spearheaded by the South Sudanese government in collaboration with UNMISS, UN agencies and NGOs.

The students called on parents to strictly advise their daughters not to be deceived by valuable assets. The students confirmed that girls and women are victims of sexual abuse in South Sudan.

Sixteen-year-old Halima Issa, who is in her first year at the school, said she had ambitions and would not be deceived by valuable assets. Ms. Issa even cautioned the use of condoms. “Some students think they are clever, but what if the condom broke?”

Ms. Issa said early marriage caused abdominal obstruction, fistula, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Student Susan Charles said SEA could lead to abortion and ruin a girl’s future.

The students called on UNMISS to conduct similar programmes on SEA in all schools in the country to help the girls end the practice.

The school’s headmistress, Heneritta Yoasa Tombe, called on girls to immediately call the police if any person attempted to exploit them. “Call the police and the law will take its course.”

T-Shirts, pens, and medals were awarded to the students who participated.