South Sudanese women present 13 recommendations on gender violence
A four-year initiative supporting prevention and survivor services closed in Juba on Wednesday, with women's groups seeking firmer protections.
Women's organizations in South Sudan presented 13 recommendations on Wednesday in Juba to strengthen protection for women and girls and improve responses to sexual and gender-based violence. The proposals were made as the German and EU-supported ResPEct project, which covered prevention and survivor services, officially closed after four years.
At the closing ceremony at the University of Juba's UNIPOD, government representatives, women's groups and international partners called for sustained action on gender discrimination and better access to justice. Hellen Awate, a widow and mother of three from Yei River County, said counselling and business training helped her regain confidence after her husband's death left her isolated and struggling to provide for her children.
Among the demands are legal protection that is stronger, accountability for perpetrators and better access to reproductive healthcare. Women's groups also want the right to own, use and inherit land and property protected, and more participation in governance from women, young women, survivors and women with disabilities.
Why it mattersWomen and girls in South Sudan, including widows who lose land and property rights, are the people the recommendations would directly affect.