28 November 2013 - To assist survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) launched two health and counseling centres in a ceremony today in the capital Bor.

The centres at Bor Hospital and Jonglei Women Association will clinically treat GBV survivors in a confidential space with skilled staff provided by Jonglei State Minister of Health and the World Health Organization.

UNFPA donated $30,000 and the UN Common Humanitarian Fund $32,000 to renovate the centre buildings, which was implemented by the non-governmental organization InterSOS Jonglei.

UNFPA also provided medical equipment and trained health and social workers as well as community volunteers to use appropriate communication skills in handling survivors of gender-based violence.

Ibrahim Sambuli, Deputy Representative of UNFPA for South Sudan, told the gathering that survivors of gender-based violence had various needs, including medical, psychosocial, safety and access to justice as well as livelihoods.

“It is clear that the two centres that we have launched today will require the cooperation and collaboration of other actors in addressing the needs of women and girls,” he said.

Many survivors suffered psychological ill health like depression, suicide, anxiety, feelings of inferiority, inability to trust and sexual dysfunction, said Jehan Mechak Deng, Jonglei State Minster of Health and Environmental Affairs, and called on people to use the centres.

“These centres will not only treat your injuries and prevent risk of infections like … HIV, hepatitis and (conditions like) unwanted pregnancy, but also will collect rape evidence to support your legal cases in the future,” the minister said.

Ms. Deng noted that UN Police were currently training local police units around Bor to treat and investigate sensitive cases, including sexual and gender-based violence.

UNMISS State Coordinator Kenneth Payumo presented a torch to Rachel Anok Omot, State Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, as a symbol of the mission’s commitment to work with the state government on issues related to gender violence, sexual exploitation and abuse.

The torch symbolizes light against the darkness of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse as well as the government’s zero tolerance for such acts.