It’s significant that Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JRMEC) empower South Sudan National Polices Services (SSNPS) to curb sexual gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
Gender-based violence is violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately and in this case women and girls are the most endangered victims.
Consider these GBV victims and potential victims are our wives, daughters, sisters, sisters in-law, mothers, mothers in-law, aunties, nieces, cousins, friends and potential wives; these are our own beloved ones.
Its hearting breaking to witness a relative undergo through torturous moments in the hands of an ill intent individual, such practices must stop, whether what?
Reporting cases of sexual gender-based violence (GBV) to the authorities as remained the biggest challenge in the country, this could be attributed to social stigma and fears, among others.
However, earlier reports painted dark images of the armed forces, labeling them as top perpetrators of GBV, mostly during the past two segments of civil upheaval, but behavioral change is inevitable.
As South Sudan shifts to peace and stability, it’s high time, the armed forces polished their old records, and we witness the custodians of security executing their constitutional mandate, not the other way.
Hence the adage “use a thief to catch a thief” applies but only when the very weapon of aggression is technically remodeled for peace and development, say, “using a dagger for cutting bread than for a fight”.
Despite the pace of reforms in security sector specially, police reform with particular focus on sexual gender-based violence, convictions are moderately low.
Perpetrators of GBV need to be apprehended and handed over to face the law while survivors encouraged to report on cases, be protected as well as given trauma and stigma healing.
Very significantly, the law enforcement agencies should explore and develop strategies to create awareness to empower the communities to report GBV cases to the concerned authorities.
There communities need to be empowered and sensitized on critical measures of Gender Based Violence, especially the vulnerable groups.
Preventive mechanisms to all forms of violence against women and girls, including gender-based violence should be devised.
The National police services should play its role to prevent and investigate; gender and child-based offences and prosecute offenders in courts of law as deterrent measure for others.