The government and development partners have been urged to increase joint efforts towards ending persistent gender-based violence and sexual-related violence against women in the country.
The Program Director of Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) at Jamnel Care, Nelly Hellen said in a statement on Tuesday that women and girls are particularly vulnerable to domestic violence, sexual assault, and forced marriages.
She noted that such acts of violence often leave survivors not only physically and emotionally scarred but also stigmatized within their communities, thus limiting their access to essential support services.
“Survivors of sexual violence may face further challenges, including negligence in marriage prospects, exclusion from food distribution, and the disruption of family links. This stigma has a profound impact not only on the survivors themselves but also on their families and communities,” Hellen said.
Hellen said that Jamnel Care recently held a symposium to discuss addressing stigma on survivors of gender-based violence.
She said that they are working to empower local communities by educating them on human rights, gender equality, and the importance of ending violence against women.
Hellen disclosed that they provide much-needed support for survivors such as counseling and legal assistance.
“In South Sudan, survivors of sexual gender-based violence face the most stigma. There are four different layers of stigma: fear, individual consequences, family consequences, and societal consequences. The fear of stigma itself often leads to tragic outcomes such as suicide, self-isolation, and loss of opportunities,” she said.
John Henry Ali, a community leader from Munuki said that community leaders are playing important roles in combating gender-based violence, adding that communities must share their thoughts on the impact of training on GBV and sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR).
“Because we are trained on GBV, STIs, HIV, and SRHR, we are all going to become ambassadors. Our communities need people who can advocate for these rights, educate others, and support survivors,” Ali said.
Trezer Were, the Communication Officer of Jamnel Care said collaborative efforts with the communities are needed to eradicate gender-based violence.
“Addressing gender-based violence requires more than just support for survivors. We need to challenge the societal norms that perpetuate violence and stigma and create spaces where survivors can seek help without fear,” Were said.
He disclosed that some of the preventative strategies include education within communities, establishing more safe spaces for survivors, and enhancing training for law enforcement and healthcare professionals to handle cases with sensitivity and care.
Jamnel Care is a Juba-based NGO working to address issues of gender-based violence and sexual-related violence as well as contributing to the creation of a safer and more equitable future for women and girls in South Sudan.
