By Malek Arol
At least 11 traditional chiefs in Mangaten residential area received training from Steward Women Organization, on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and sexual violence.
Gamma Hassan, Legal Head Officer for Steward Women Organisation, explained that training which kicked off on Tuesday aims at equipping the chiefs with necessary knowledge on human rights.
The Steward Women Organisation project targets traditional chiefs and women leaders in relation to human rights and gender-based violence.
“There are also other activities that we are undertaking in this same project which include neighborhood assemblies, dialogue among communities and a free-of-charge provision of legal aids to the survivors of gender-based violence and sexual-related offenses,” said Hassan.
Paramount Chief of Mangaten Area, Juma Ngundeng, a participant at the training, said he was very grateful for the training.
“We have benefitted so much, and this is of great importance to us because we deal with customary law and GBV cases in and across Mangaten area,” he said.
“We are urging the organization to extend the training to cover other residential areas because we are just a fraction of the city, and this would be helpful if it covers the whole city.” he added.
Another participant, Mary Nyathiel, one of the female chiefs in the area, stated that the knowledge she gained will help her solve cases related to human rights and GBV.
“It is not easy dealing with human beings, but as trained chiefs, we are more than capable in our quest for fighting injustices not only in Mangaten area, but also in other neighboring areas where we are invited to help in settling complicated cases,” said Mary.
Similar trainings by Steward Women Organization are ongoing in other parts of South Sudan, mainly in Nimule of Eastern Equatoria State and Rubkona County of Unity State.
Steward Women Organization is a women-led organization implementing the GBV project supported the British Embassy in South Sudan.