Public awareness needed to curb gender based violence: official

The Director General for the National Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare has called for raising public awareness on gender based violence.

“We need to enforce and dessimante more information especially to the community so that they learn the rights of women so that they know GBV is a crime and so that people mindset are changed,” Regina Ossa  said during a symposium held at Regency Hotel to mark the International Women Day.

 Ossa said they have already established standard operating procedures within the ministry of health, police and the community to help prevent GBV.

She noted that rape cases, child marriages and domestic violence are still rampant across the country.

Anna Hassen, the representative of the British Embassy in South Sudan said that tackling violence against women and girls is critical to achieving sustainable peace in south Sudan.

“We recognize the continuous achievement by women in fighting for gender equality, equal opportunity, access to justice and fair treatment. South Sudan’s future depends on how it treats its women,” Hassen said.

Hassen said Pope Francis during his recent visit to South Sudan called for the rights of women and girls to be respected, protected and honored.

The government established special protected units for the police and one- stop centers across the country to support women and girls affected by violence within the family or community.

The symposium to mark International Women Day was organized by Steward Women and the British Embassy in South Sudan to discuss violence against women.