The UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Gender Unit on Wednesday urged all men to create an alliance that prevents all forms of violence against women in Eastern Equatoria State
UNMISS said women in the State continued to be victims of gender-based violence from traditional practices such as wife beating, denial of property rights and restriction in decision-making.
The call was made during a one-day forum organized by UNMISS Gender Unit on positive masculinity for promoting women participation and ending violence against them
The forum aimed at having an open conversation on how men can interpret the theme into practical and sustainable actions, take stock of the role of the traditions and culture in promoting women’s rights and how they can be leveraged to prevent violence against women
UNMISS Gender Unit Officer Mikelina Emilio said creating an alliance of men helps promote women’s rights by denouncing harmful practices and cultures
She encouraged men across the State to take lead in championing the prevention of violence against women.
“Take stock of the role of traditions and culture in promoting women’s right and how we can leverage to prevent violence against women. Create a loose alliance of positive masculinity in Eastern Equatoria State so that we are not left behind,” she said.
Eastern Equatoria State Gender, Child and Social Welfare Director General Dominica Idwa told the men to work together for change and support to women
She noted that most educated women remained home attendants as their men denied them access to work, a practice, she said, calls for joint efforts to end.
Torit County Executive Director Tisiano Tafeng Angarama said most cultures in Eastern Equatoria State gave rights to men as heads, providers and protectors of all families.
He urged women to commit to advocating their rights to continue championing ending GBV and promoting women’s rights.
Simon Saidi from the Change Spark Foundation said unless high bride price is brought to an end, women’s rights would not be achieved.
He asked both women and men to advocate the ending of traditions that interfere with women’s rights.