“It’s traumatising to be raped and be left in shame, and when it happens, you just want to leave everything behind and go and live alone because of the stigma that follows this experience.”

Anyone familiar with South Sudan’s patriarchal traditions may find it hard to imagine that some men are now part of leading the charge against gender-based violence. Yet this is exactly what is happening in Bor in the greater Jonglei region.

A peace dialogue held between the communities of Mayiendit in Southern Liech and opposition-held Panyinjiar has pacified years of animosity and set in motion a reconciliation process that promises to restore peaceful coexistence between the long-feuding neighbours.