8 October 2014 - Lending their voices to a national campaign, renowned South Sudanese musicians Beatrice Anthony and Emmanuel Lasu recently joined a drive to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse.

Songs by the two musicians, better known as Betty Toni and Lasu Emma respectively, were already airing on Radio Miraya ahead of the campaign, which kicks off in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, tomorrow.

The drive is spearheaded by the government in collaboration with UNMISS, UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the National NGO Forum.

It features activities like colouring competitions for children, football and volley matches as well as forum discussions across the country.

According to UNMISS Conduct and Discipline Chief Nathalie Ndongo-Seh, the campaign will focus on children, students, youth, women’s groups, and beneficiaries of UN assistance and vulnerable persons at risk of sexual exploitation or abuse.

She noted that many vulnerable people are at risk of any form of abuse by other individuals who appear to be in a position of power.

“A lot may not be aware of their rights, including their right to say no and to report, or where to report or seek assistance,” said Ms. Ndongo-Seh. “We try to give them tools to raise their awareness, to protect themselves and others, to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and to report to the right entities.”

The two singers will participate in the launch in Yei River County tomorrow, as well as other locations across South Sudan over the next month.

In an interview with the radio, the musicians noted that girls are the future generation of South Sudan and urged them not to engage in sexual activities for money.

Ms. Anthony said she would travel to different parts of the country with campaign teams to contribute to the drive to end the practice, in addition to having her song on the airwaves.

“We have to educate our children for the benefit of our country,” she said, urging parents to stop accepting money from men seeking sexual favours from their daughters.

Mr. Lasu, who participated in a similar campaign last year, said musicians have a duty to be good examples and a big role to play in educating the public on preventing and ending sexual exploitation and abuse.

“My message as a musician is I need to be sure I am not practicing sexual exploitation and abuse,” he said.

He noted that both boys and girls are subjected to the practice and urged them to speak out when faced with such situations.

“We need to prevent that,” he said, and quoted from the theme of both his song and the campaign, “Mata Askut – Break the Silence”.