By Yiep Joseph
South Sudan Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare has condemned an horrific sexual assault perpetrated against a young lady in Gumbo-sherikat.
Aya Benjamin Libo Warille expressed disappointment and urged security forces to ensure culprits of Thursday incident are punished.
A disturbing footage on Thursday, appeared on social media, showing a girl being forced into sexual acts Sherikat neighbourhood by a group of youth who recorded the incident.
Responding to this terrible incident, the Minister of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, condemned the incident and called for justice.
“I speak before you today with a heavy heart and profound anger. The recent horrific sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl by a group of more than six boys is an unspeakable act of violence that demands our strongest condemnation,” she said.
She added that the incident amounts to a grave violation of human rights and a tragic assault on the dignity and safety of young women and girls in the country.
“We stand in solidarity with the victim and her family during this difficult time. Such acts of brutality have no place in our society and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” he expressed.
Aya stated that this is not just a crime against an individual; it is a crime against the values and the future.
The minister called on the law enforcement agencies to investigate and ensure that the culprits are arrested and brought to book.
“Our law enforcement agencies must act with the utmost urgency to investigate this case thoroughly and ensure that all those responsible are held accountable,” she said.
She furthered that the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare is committed to working tirelessly with law enforcement, community leaders, and civil society organizations to address the root causes of violence against women and girls.
“This includes implementing preventative measures, supporting victims, and strengthening our legal frameworks to ensure that such crimes are never repeated,” she emphasized.
The minister urged South Sudanese to join the campaign, condemning the act of violence against women and girls.
She called on parents and community leaders to actively engage in fostering a culture of respect, empathy, and zero tolerance for violence.
“We urge the community to remain vigilant and supportive of victims. It is our collective responsibility to foster a safe, respectful, and violence-free environment for all citizens, especially our children and youth,” she said.
She called on the partners to support the victims of all forms of violence.
Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka, the national police spokesperson, confirmed to the media that at least six people were arrested as investigations continue.