16 June 2014 - In line with new UNMISS mandate which emphasizes protection of civilians, a training course for police officers ended in the Lakes State capital Rumbek today.

UN Police (UNPOL) in the state organized the two-week training-of-trainers course focusing on Gender, Child and Vulnerable Person Protection.

Some 20 South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) officers attended the course which covered topics like gender-based violence, crime scenes and investigating children.

“Women and children are one of the most valuable resources this country has and they are very much needed to get the country to proceed forwards,” said UNPOL Training Coordinator Kjetil Enger, underscoring how important it is to for SSNPS to provide protection for them.

A female participant Joyce Manyiel said women also need to be encouraged to continue learning in order to improve their lives in the communities.

“I know that when I go out, I will explain to our people the things I have learned the last couple of weeks,” she said. “We are here to get educated so we can change the community.”