Public call for action following emergence of a graphic video depicting almost six suspects repeatedly raping a young girl, one after another, in Shirikat of Juba suburbs.

By William Madouk

A disturbing video showing young men raping a teenage girl has gone viral on social media, sparking calls for justice and systemic reform in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.

Four individuals had by yesterday evening been taken into custody in connection to the gang raping incident of the 16-year-old teenager, according to unconfirmed preliminary information.

The girl’s father, a high ranked officer in the national army, told local media that his daughter, born in 2009 and in Senior One, was sent to the market last week when panga-wielding gang members surrounded, kidnapped, and sexually abused her in an abandoned house.

When contacted, Brig-Gen James Dak Karlo, the Director of GBV Special Protection Unit and Child Affairs, confirmed that he received the information, but could not provide full details at the moment.

In a phone interview, Jackline Nasiwa, Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Inclusive Governance, expressed concern that the video demonstrates a lack of seriousness in the country regarding rape. She urged the law enforcement agency to ensure that all the culprits are traced and brought to book.

Of criminal gangs, and lack of accountability

Ms. Nasiwa, a frontline activist against SGBV, noted that rape incidents had occurred in the past, but justice has never been served.

“We have had incidences of even young girls as young as eight years being raped by the same nigger groups and others including adult men, but justice has not been served until now,” she lamented.

“So, these young boys who raped this girl, may even be let loose. Nobody may follow up to track if they were charged,” she added.

According to rights activists, society’s morality has deteriorated to the point that women’s bodies are used as a weapon for sex by many.

“Watching how these niggers have grown and what they are doing to the girls in the communities is really an alarming thing,” CPJG boss noted.

According to Nasiwa, this is the right time for the anti-gender-based violence bill to be passed into law.

“It’s high time that this anti-gender-based violence is brought to the parliament and it is passed so that we cannot say there is no law charging this and there is no backing in the legal framework.”

The activist called on the government to enhance community security by collaborating with local chiefs to promote security in neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director for the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), also condemned the incident, calling it a ‘brutal and inhumane act.”

“The CPA calls on law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to immediately investigate this case and ensure that all perpetrators are arrested and held accountable in accordance with the law,” Manyang said.

“We further urge the Government of South Sudan to enact and enforce comprehensive family protection laws that specifically address gender-based violence, and to prioritize the safety and dignity of women and girls across the nation,” he added.

“We reaffirm our commitment to advocating for justice, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable members of our society.”

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