South Sudan human rights activist Angelina Daniel has challenged the government to deliver on its commitment to prevent sexual violence and other abuses against women, especially in times of conflict. She was reacting to a spate of cases of sexual violence during the recent fighting in Juba.

The call by Angelina came a day after fresh reports emerged that a group of women and young girls were sexually violated as they came out of the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site at UN House to look for food to feed their families.

According to Angelina, 27 women were victimized just outside a camp for the Protection of Civilians (PoC) and “while seven of them had the courage to speak out and get medical attention, the majority were too ashamed to come forward,” the activist said.

She said the fighting has led to a scarcity of food in the camp, forcing women to venture away from the relative security of the PoC site. It was on such an endevour the women were preyed upon by the soldiers.

Describing the general situation as precarious, Angelina called for firm and concrete action from local authorities.

“This is the time when they need to show that they’re really committed to the Geneva Convention [relative to the protection of civilians],” she said.

Alluding, too, to their very own communiqués, the rights activist challenged the authorities in South Sudan to live up to their word.

“I want the commanders to direct the military to stop this kind of sexual violence against women,” she declared, insisting that it is imperative to end the impunity with which soldiers abuse vulnerable women in times of conflict.

“It is very important to hold these perpetrators accountable,” Angelina stressed, lamenting that for many combatants, violating women has virtually become routine, to the point where they carried out these abuses openly.

“We can no longer talk of sexual violence by unknown gunmen. They’re known men who carry out these abuses and walk away without being held accountable,” she asserted.

Only last May, visiting the UN Special Representative on sexual violence in conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, had reminded South Sudan’s Top Leadership about separate communiqués they signed way back in October 2014, pledging their commitment to prevent sexual violence and to hold perpetrators to account.

Angelina insists that the military be educated and sensitized on the impact sexual abuses have on the lives of women, and on society at large.

Developing awareness among women is just as important. They should be educated on preventive as well as remedial action. Rather than hide in shame, victims of abuses should be encouraged to seek urgent medical attention. Reporting incidents to the police is also paramount in order to hold perpetrators accountable.