Different states and localities in South Sudan are continuing to organize events to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence.

UNMISS Human Rights Division in Rumbek conducted a human rights awareness activity today in Camboni Primary School.

Women Protection Adviser Ohenewaa Ohoo noted that the 16-day campaign was held each year  between 25 November, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and 10 December, International Human Rights Day.

These dates were chosen to symbolically link and emphasize that violence against women is a violation of human rights.

Special attention was given to the right to education, as this year’s theme in Lakes State is ‘From Peace in the Home to Peace in the Nation: Make Education safe for Girls in Lakes State’.

“Education for girls is important, so girls can be the same as boys”, said Mary Nyanadong, a 15-year old student at Camboni Primary School and one of the participants.

At the end of the activity, departing Nepalese Commander Lt. Col. Indra Bahadur Shah handed over sports equipment to the school.

In the Unity State capital Bentiu, more than 40 women representatives met with state government officials on 4 December to discuss prevailing violence against women and girls and how to address the issue.

A combination of social practices and conflict in South Sudan had increased the vulnerability of women and girls to different forms of violence, Unity State Advisor for Gender, Child and Social Development Rose Nyaboth said.

“Violence against women and girls remains a serious human rights violation and public health concern for many women and girls in South Sudan,” said Ms. Nyaboth.

She noted that prevailing cultural norms marginalized women and prevented them from participating equally in political activity and decision-making.

Ms. Nyaboth said it was vital for women to be active in implementing the recently signed peace agreement by promoting their solidarity.

Also noting that women needed representation in all aspects of life, Unity Acting State Governor Simon Chuol Biel said there was a need to change ways women were treated.

“Africans have a way of treating women, but we need to change from that habit to the standards of the world where we respect them,” he said. “We really (need to) give them special consideration and special representation in government (because) they deserve the right to be among the leaders in all aspect of life.”

In the Jonglei State capital Bor, UNMISS and partners organized an event on 4 December at the protection of civilians (PoC) site on the mission’s base.

Partners, including the UN Refugee Agency, the International Organization for Migration, UN Population Fund, ACTED, INTERSOS and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, discussed the role of women’s empowerment and girl child education in stopping gender-based violence.

Three men received awards for their exceptional roles in empowering women within the PoC site. There were also drama presentations on gender-based violence and HIV/AIDS.

In the Northern Bahr El-Ghazal capital Aweil, GBV partners held a rally under the theme “Peace from the home to the Nation”.

GBV Working group representative Florence Adiyo said both men and women must be free from violence by supporting education for both.

“Both men and women must be free from violence,” she said. “I call upon all men and women to stand up to support and retain their girls in schools. If we want to combat GBV we must end illiteracy among our girls.”

UNMISS representative Samuel Matungi urged the community to lead the change. “Early marriages must be discouraged. Men and women should not allow their girls to marry before they have completed their education.”

State Advisor for Peace Reconciliation Awet Kiir Awet stressed that men and women had equal rights.

“Women deserve respect and equal participation … in the government or any private institutions,” he said. “I call upon all men and boys to respect women and girls for the sake of prosperity in our nation.”

On 30 November, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) organized a talk show programme for women in the Wau Shilluk area of Upper Nile State.

Noting that violence against women is one of the major challenges faced in poor communities, UNHCR State Coordinator Sergii Lavrof stressed the need to involve women in awareness-raising programmes.

Nychangjwok Amum Nyeker, a participant, said the conflict had deprived women and children of the ability to enjoy their lives and right to dignity.

She called on international and local agencies to put more effort into raising community awareness to protect women against violence.