The special court established to handle cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has so far registered 205 cases upon establishment in 2020.
“From our records up to now we have 205 cases of GBV which are progressing before the court, and then 80 pending, you add together the total is 285 pending cases, this shows that GBV is real,” Francis Amum, the high court judge for GBV court told journalists at Pyramid Hotel during the launch of Juba Safe House for GBV survivors on Monday.
Amum said the court does not only deal with rights violations but also relies on victim center approach and accountability for perpetrators.
Jeffery Ashley, Acting Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said they are supporting the fight against GBV in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund.
“As we all know, GBV continues to reach crisis level across South Sudan harming not only women and girls but also many boys, in partnership with UNFPA, United States is providing life-saving sexual-related services for GBV survivors in Juba and prevention of GBV across Central Equatorial State,” Ashley said.
Paul Biel, the Director for Nile Hope said GBV is deeply rooted in gender inequality, adding that they have accommodated about 339 victims of GBV in Wau in Western Bahr El Ghazel State.
“This number should not be seen as a win though, as continued violence perpetrated against women and children not only destroys their lives but also rips families apart,” Biel said.
