Kofi Ampeah Woode
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Ghana Battalion (GHANBATT) 11, has participated in the launch of the annual global United Nations (UN) 16-Days Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The campaign which aims to eradicate violence against women and girls worldwide was celebrated on Wednesday, 29 November 2023 at Rotriak Pariang, South Sudan, in UNMISS under the theme “UNITE, Invest to eradicate violence against women and girls in South Sudan”.
The UN 16-Days Activism campaign, which commenced with a route march on 25 November 2023, is scheduled to end on 10 December 2023. In this light, GHANBATT actively supported the event with the Band, Public Address system, Canopy and chairs.
The Guest of Honor of the event – the Director General at the Ministry of Gender of Unity State – Hon Gatuor Makuach, in his remarks expoused the importance of the 16-Day campaign celebrated by UNMISS, and indicated that due to the vital role played by women and girls in the society, there is the need to empower, encourage and protect them.
The Human Rights Officer and Women’s Protection Advisor, UNMISS Bentiu Field Office –Madam Lydia Muthiani, in her remarks on behalf of UNMISS Bentiu Acting Head of Field Office, stated that, GBV is deeply entrenched in South Sudan, where women and girls continue to be at high risk, both at public and private spaces.
She added that, the prolonged conflict in South Sudan has further exacerbated and increased vulnerabilities and security risks, which expose populations, especially women and girls, to widespread forms of GBV.
She emphasized that, UNMISS will continue to demonstrate its commitment to deter, prevent and respond to all acts of Sexual and GBV regardless of the source of the threat, towards creating a society which is safer for boys, men, girls and women in Rotriak, South Sudan and beyond.
She continued that, UNMISS is committed to delivering its central mandate on the protection of civilians, through the three tiers of protection, by undertaking concerted monitoring, analysis and reporting on GBV.
The day’s program was climaxed with cultural performance by the various women’s group in the community, as well as a short drama to drive home the message of the campaign to the whole community.
Other humanitarian agencies like the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), United Nations Populations Fund (UNPFA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), amongst others.
Credit: UNMISS-GHANBATT 11 PI CELL
