By Yang Ater Yang
At least 45 participants, including women, youth, police officers, church members, chiefs, and primary school pupils were educated on the issue of gender-based violence (GBV) against women and girls.
The two-day training was organized by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Rumbek, Lakes State.
Lillian Awut Ater, one of the facilitators, discussed the various types of GBV, such as physical, economic, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse.
She highlighted the issue of early marriage as a significant disadvantage, particularly for young girls.
“Because people that are forced to get married and forced to get early marriage are the girls,” Awut said.
“This early marriage has disadvantages of which a girl can get fistula or a girl can die during the delivery process. Because she might go through a C-section, which is surgery to give birth to the baby, and worst of all, this young girl child can die. So, these are some of the very big disadvantages or most dangerous disadvantages of early marriage.”
Awut also addressed the issue of rape, a prevalent concern in the state due to the ongoing conflicts.
She emphasized that even if a child of 15 years old consents to sexual intercourse, it is still considered defilement and an offence under the constitution of South Sudan.
Other disadvantages of GBV discussed included stigma, trauma, stress, and even mental illness.
She stressed the need for the government to raise awareness about GBV across the country, not just in Lakes State, as it is a national issue.
Advocate James Mabor Mourwel, a legal officer at IRC in Lakes State said the training targeted various stakeholders, including service providers, duty bearers, judiciary, traditional leaders, women leaders, police, students, religious leaders, and youth.
Mourwel mentioned that the participants highlighted several challenges, such as insecurity, insufficient apprehension of perpetrators, lack of government presence in some areas, and intimidation.
He called for the state government to implement laws and policies to address gender-based violence effectively.
Participant John Sebit Malok emphasized that forced and early marriage is not limited to girls but also affects boys, hindering their ability to manage family affairs.
He urged the state government to implement laws to end gender-based violence and enable young people to contribute to national development.
The training was funded by the UNFPA program.