The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, has said sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains a problem in South Sudan.

“More generally here in South Sudan and around the world. Every day we hear more stories of the suffering of survivors, most of whom are women and girls,” Haysom said.

He was speaking during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence in Juba yesterday.

The campaign to eliminate violence against women and girls started on November 25 and will end on December 10, 2021. It runs under the theme “Orange the World: End Violence against Women Now”, where orange stands for a bright future free of violence.  

Haysom said the UNMISS peacekeeping mission works to protect civilians and will do this through a bottom-up approach.

“So far this year, we have carried out about 3,000 patrols to prevent and resolve conflict across the country. We investigate and report on human rights abuses, including sexual and other violence, so that perpetrators are held accountable and survivors get the justice they deserve, ” said Haysom.

He said UNMISS is committed to building the capacity of the police and security forces, political leaders in communities and traditional leaders to speak and protect the rights of the citizens, mostly women and girls.

Capacity building

“Our priority is to prevent conflict, recovery and development from peacebuilding,” he added.

Haysom stated that they have supported hundreds of activities this year alone that have brought communities together to build trust and confidence, as well as to save the environment for all.

He said they often conduct their work in partnership with the government and the people of South Sudan through the support of the international community.

“On the international days for the elimination of violence against women and girls, we joined many partners and in strong collective voices to ensure all women get the opportunities that they deserve to live a safe, dignified and prosperous life,” Haysom said.

He urged the entire world to join UNMISS on the 16 days of activism and beyond to take action to end violence against women and girls.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Women’s Executive Director, Sima Bahous, said the international days were purposely meant to celebrate those who work to protect women and girls and defend their human rights across the world.

She called on new partners, including the government, NGOs, institutions, communities, and groups of people everywhere, to join them to raise their voices.

Sima said violence against women and girls has been a global crisis where women and girls continue to live in danger of conflict and natural-related disasters such as food security and human rights violations.

“Violence against women and girls remains unreported because of stigma and shame or fear of the perpetrators and fear of a justice system that doesn’t work for women,” she said.

Sima said COVID-19, with all its isolation and distancing, has enabled unseen violence, which has been the second pandemic against women and girls because they often find themselves in lockdown with abuses in all corners of the world.

She said they know that the leadership and safety of women in all diversity play a vital role in the economic welfare of communities’ children’s health and education.

“We all suffer when those rights are abused, but there is hope. In recent years, much has been achieved to prevent and reduce violence against women and girls,” Sima said.

She said the challenge now is to extend global efforts and make a difference in lives.

“We must ensure essential services are available and accessible to women of all ages. We need to support an environment online and off in which women can participate safely in decision-making, ” she added.

She revealed that new opportunities had been opened last summer as part of an effort to secure a $40 billion commitment for women and girls around the world.

She said the coalition will bring together a wide range of women’s groups, youth, civil society, faith-based private sectors, and United Nations member states.

“There will be concrete financial and policy commitment and skills initiative in critical areas, viable support services legal framework and more resources for grassroots organizations,” Sima explained.

 “Today, the elimination of violence also opens some exciting hope. It’s to begin 16 days of activism against gender-based violence with a series of events aimed at creating real change. “