UNMISS brings together displaced women and girls to discuss GBV in Bentiu

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Tuesday brought together women and girls in Bentiu internally displaced persons camp to discuss teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence.

Roseline Nkwelle Nzelle, UNMISS public information department officer said the one-day forum aims to build trust and confidence between parents and their daughters.

She said parents will be able to counsel their daughters in case early pregnancy and gender-based violence.

The discussion was attended by 40 women and 60 adolescent girls in Bentiu IDP camp.

Nzelle said that many young girls are dropping out of school because of teenage pregnancy, adding that they expect women to take the greatest role in counseling children to reduce teenage pregnancy.

“Mothers and daughters should be in open discussion to know issues affecting their daughters,” she said.

 Nzelle added that the open discussion forum will even reduce abortion because of follow up and counseling.

Nzelle said that UNMISS will continue to support women and adolescent girls with capacity building training to reduce on gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy.

Mary Jock Puot, a 67-year- old women leader in Bentiu appreciated UNMISS for organizing the open forum.

“This is the first- ever open discussion forum I have witnessed between women and adolescent girls, the forum will iron out teenage pregnancy and gender- based violence as we will continue to use this opportunity to counsel our daughters,” she said.