Justice Officials Pledge Stronger Action on GBV Cases

By Roselyn Oboy

Justice officials in South Sudan have pledged to strengthen the handling of gender-based violence cases and improve how survivors are treated within the justice system.

The commitment followed a three-day capacity-building training in Juba organized by the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ), with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Norwegian People’s Aid and UN Women.

The training brought together judges, magistrates and other justice officials to strengthen responses to gender-based violence, conflict-related sexual violence and survivor-centered justice.

Participants discussed legal barriers facing survivors, confidential case documentation, evidence handling, referral pathways and trauma-informed engagement.

Adeng Andrew, undersecretary in the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, said the success of the training would be measured by the changes participants make when they return to their institutions.

“The real measure will be what changes when we return to our institutions tomorrow,” she said.

Adeng urged justice officials to improve case handling, protect survivors’ confidentiality, properly manage evidence and strengthen referral mechanisms. She also said the ministry is prioritizing the advancement of the Anti-GBV Bill and the ratification of relevant international instruments to strengthen legal protections for survivors.

UN Women Country Director Delphine Serumanga urged judicial officers to become agents of change within their institutions, saying their conduct can determine whether survivors retain trust in the justice system.

“You can make or you can break a person, depending on what you choose to do when a survivor comes to you,” Serumanga said.

She encouraged participants to share the knowledge gained during the training with colleagues and use it to strengthen institutional responses to gender-based violence and help break cycles of violence.

Norwegian People’s Aid representative Michael Goodwill called on justice institutions to document progress and challenges in handling GBV cases.

“This is the time now for us to start documenting our success stories,” Goodwill said.

He urged justice institutions to track reported, resolved and pending cases across states to help measure progress and identify gaps in survivor-centered justice.

Don Bosco Malis, a representative of CIGPJ, said the treatment survivors receive during their first interaction with the justice system can shape their entire experience of seeking justice.

“Justice begins from the first interaction experience a survivor has with the justice system,” Malis said.

He urged judges, magistrates, clerks, registrars and case managers to ensure survivors are treated with dignity, respect and confidentiality while cases are properly registered, managed and handled fairly and promptly.

The Judiciary also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the capacity of judges and support staff under its five-year strategic plan, despite financial constraints.

The initiative aims to strengthen responses to gender-based and conflict-related sexual violence, improve survivor-centered justice and enhance links between GBV responses and transitional justice mechanisms.