24 June 2015 - Seeking to curb gender-based violence in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State, partners led by the state government today launched a “Respect and Respond” campaign in the capital Aweil.

The programme, under the theme “We can end violence against women”, will be carried out by the Ministry of Social Development in partnership with UNMISS and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

State Minister of Agriculture and Acting Minister for Social Development Lual Dau Marach, urged the community to respect and treat both sexes equally.

“Girls and boys must be equally educated,” he said. “Gender-based violence is not acceptable and it is clearly prohibited by the laws of South Sudan.”

“Women must be respected,” stressed Aweil Town Mayor, Jacqueline Nyibol Ajonga. “We have to take our girls to school, retain them in schools, and encourage them (to go) for the higher education. “

The Mayor urged youth to put education first and avoid early sex so they could have a better future.

UNMISS Child Protection Officer Aryal Ganesh said UNMISS would work closely with the government and gender-based violence working group to end violence against women.

“We must be mindful of the international treaties on women and children when we are dealing with gender-based violence,” he said. “Respect the laws of your own country South Sudan.”

The Executive Chief of Maper West Payam, Chan Mawien Jongkor, suggested another advocacy campaign for other vulnerable groups.

“We must also talk about the rights of vulnerable groups, because children and elderly people are also vulnerable like women. They must be advocated for equally in such campaigns.”

NGOs supporting the campaign include the American Refugee Committee, Safer World and Abiem Community Development Foundation, with funding from the International Rescue Committee.