The Mission to Alleviate Suffering in South Sudan (MASS) has officially launched an innovative project titled “Engaging Men through Accountable Practices” (EMAP) in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State. This transformative one-year program, aimed at combating violence against women in the community, brought together over one hundred stakeholders.
Kenneth Elias, the project officer for MASS’s Yei field office, highlighted the transformative potential of EMAP. He emphasized its role in amplifying the voices of women and reshaping community mindsets. Elias also stressed that while funding for such programs might dwindle over time, the change in mindset would persist.
“With EMAP, for the first time in Yei, we will get to hear the real voices and the issues that are happening in your life and home. This particular type of approach had never been done before,” Elias stated. “We need to change our mindsets, and it’s the only way that we are going to change our homes.”
He urged individuals to take personal responsibility for change, stating, “You cannot ask the police to change issues for you; they can only put you in jail, but it is you to start that positive change.”
General Deng Goch, the Deputy Commander in the Yei army garrison, commended the initiative and underscored the crucial role women play in building strong families and communities. He dispelled the notion that men view women as their enemies, attributing conflicts within families to cultural beliefs.
Goch said, “I want to let you women and girls know that there are already changes in the community because the work women do, we men are unable to do.” He stressed the importance of patience and the gradual realization of women’s rights.
The Deputy Executive Director, Ezbon Gale, who also served as the guest of honour, emphasized the timeliness of the program. Yei has seen an influx of returnees and internally displaced persons, leading to the formation of male gang groups committing violence against women and girls. He viewed the EMAP initiative as a ray of hope for transforming families and the broader society.
Gale stated, “Today we are here for a historic purpose as EMAP has never been here in Yei. Those of us who are here are persons who are officially involved in the EMAP initiative. So those of us here today are being enrolled into EMAP and we must not change from being members of EMAP.”
He recognized the pressing need to address violence against women and girls in the face of population displacement, saying, “We must engage men and boys through accountable practices in order to transform our society.”
EMAP represents a revolutionary approach that engages men in reevaluating their attitudes and behaviour towards women, fostering changes that benefit the entire community.