Participants amplified that survivors of gender-based violence in South Sudan are significantly in need of assistance and safeguarding during a panel discussion hosted in Juba on 12 December 2024 by GIZ on behalf of the German Development Cooperation and the European Union.
The panel discussion entitled “Silent Voices – Support and Protection for Survivors of Sexualized and Gender-Based Violence in South Sudan” was held at the Baobab House in Juba as part of the commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. It provided a space for dialogue among key stakeholders to explore strategies for improving the protection and empowerment of survivors of SGBV and for fostering collaborative solutions.
The panelists included Pascalina Anyang, Judge at the GBV court, Brig. James Dak Karlo, Director of the Police Special Protection Unit, Alice Oleya Jino, Program Manager at the European Union, Lily Ismail, GBV AoR representative and Sarah Diew from Nile Hope.
The event participants were welcomed by Lea Flaspoehler, Cluster Coordinator for Governance and Gender, GIZ South Sudan who said that while focusing on prevention, they also pay special attention to the needs of survivors of SGBV.
“For example, we support the One Stop Centre in Yei, where survivors can receive holistic care,” she stated.
After powerful opening remarks, during which statements of survivors were read to the audience, the panelists discussed challenges faced by survivors of GBV, the role of the judiciary in providing justice and protection as well as community and cultural dynamics in addressing GBV.
Panelist Alice Oleya Jino, Program Manager at the European Union, stated: “Gender equality and human rights are core values, mainstreamed in all European Union internal and external policies. We are fully committed to the gender agenda and to place women and gender equality at the heart of peace and security.”
In South Sudan, an estimated 65 percent of women and girls experience physical, sexualized or gender-based violence during their lifetime. For women and girls in displacement situations, the risk of being affected is particularly high. The availability of services for the care of survivors, such as psychological support, health services and legal advice, is limited and in some places non-existent.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign to challenge and fight violence against women and girls. It kicks off on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and runs until 10 December (Human Rights Day). It is joined by organizations, institutions, and individuals worldwide to raise awareness and express support for the topic. The panel discussion was organized by the GIZ project “ResPEct” as part of the commemorations of the 16 Days campaign.
The project “ResPEct: Stop SGBV – Respond, Prevent, Educate!” is jointly co-funded by the European Union (5 Mio. EUR) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ as part of the BMZ project ResPEct. To promote social change concerning gender roles and the protection of girls and women, the project promotes the establishment and further development of counseling services that support families in conflict and challenging situations, in particular internally displaced persons, returnees, and members of host communities.
A special focus is placed on engaging men in critically reflecting on gender roles and taking on their responsibility in the prevention of SGBV. National women’s groups are strengthened in their networking with one another and with the local authorities. Selected women’s groups receive financial support for the implementation of micro-projects on the protection from and the prevention of SGBV.
Through gender-transformative activities, students learn to critically question gender roles and act as a multiplier to educate other young adults about alternative behaviors. The activities in schools are not co-funded by the European Union.