The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is working tirelessly to drive change against sexual exploitation in the country. Recently, the Guild President of the Torit Health Science Institute, Elias Taban Elias, expressed his commitment to eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.
In Eastern Equatoria State, students in Torit have undergone training to prevent atrocities and protect themselves and their communities. The Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare, in collaboration with UNMISS, organized a campaign that brought together over 50 apprentices from the Torit Health Science Institute. This initiative, part of the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, aims to equip learners with the knowledge needed to bring about meaningful change.
Mr. Elias emphasized the importance of understanding these issues, especially in the medical field, to manage cases with confidentiality and professional integrity. As the holiday season approaches, there is hope for youth to resist harmful cultural practices like forced and early marriages.
Lily Tobias, a counselor at the One-Stop-Centre at Torit State Hospital, stressed the importance of spreading the message widely and ensuring that families and communities are informed about reporting mechanisms for abuse. The impact of such abuses, including school dropouts, single motherhood, and health issues like fistula cases, disproportionately affects women under 18.
Tobias Magezi, the Principal of Torit Health Science Institute, expressed hope that the training sessions would inspire more community activists. While the institute has formed a committee dedicated to preventing abuses against women and girls, Magezi urged partners to continue supporting awareness-raising efforts on this critical issue.
In Eastern Equatoria, the UNMISS team is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare to protect individual rights and address human rights abuses, creating a safer and more gender-responsive environment for all. The mission is to ensure that mothers and sisters do not bear the brunt of injustices related to sexual exploitation.
The efforts of UNMISS and its partners in South Sudan reflect a commitment to driving change and promoting gender equality and women’s rights. Through education, training, and advocacy, progress is being made towards a future where women and girls can live free from violence and discrimination.
