South Sudan warns of violence against women
By Ngor Arol Garang
January 22, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The semi-autonomous government of South Sudan has warned against gender based violence on women and children pledging no compromise but stiff punishment as incentive
Chan Reec, South Sudan’s vice chief Justice said cases related to domestic violent involving physical abuse of women and children have continued to increase despite the stiff punishment being enforced by the judiciary.
He further said, although judicial system of the nascent government of South Sudan tries its best to ensure that physical assault, predominantly practiced in the rural areas, as mean to discipline children and women are reduced, gender-based violence continues to be reported in most court cases across the region.
“This does not mean the government is ignorant, no, the government is much aware but seeking best alternatives including the use of media and community activists to help advance policies against these behaviors, he said in an interview at Khartoum airport before his return to Juba.
“We do not buy any lame argument that beating a woman or child is the best way to make them discipline instead it increases their wildness when they are used to regular beating,” he adds
However, he was quick to point out that this habit has some bases in African traditional practice and has a section in customary law since it involve cultural practice.
It can be changed but it will take time and resources to move away from culture of war to peace and development with rule of law being an order of governance, he adds saying it will need massive education.
“I can confirm to you that gender violence has proved to be the most challenging vice to curb in Sudan because of wars which made it possible for rural people to impose cultural and traditional practice on women as way to govern societies;” he said adding South Sudan has signed many instruments meant to combat gender-based violence but that implementation has been a problem.
He pointed out that his ministry resorted to working closely with United Nations’ agencies such as UNDP and international organizations including government ministries and commissions to study and find out the root cause of this increased violence against women.
He said this study is a move to bring out issues that have contributed to abuse of women and children. It is also meant to seek how best the government should attend to them; he said adding political will is also needed to reduce cases of violence against women and children.
Although south Sudan has just emerged out of war, judiciary with the ministry of legal affairs and constitutional development is trying hard to make good policies that can help curb violence against women.
The official also acknowledged that change is slowly getting into some regions as the government is trying to address the challenges of gender violence, and if political-will is more vigilant, I am certain that the vice can be reduced, he adds.
(ST)
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
South Sudan warns of violence against women
Good idea, however insecurity has become the only challeneger I could see in South South, yesterday in the evening I come across some news in Munuki that a minibus was attacked from its way from Yambio CPA celebration, around 15 kids where injured. To me, it is very clear that the attacker might not be an Equatorian but someone from outside community. Even I think that some people may suggest that the bus was chased from behind, but technically I will not agree. Some people are taking interest in every small issue in Equatoria for their massive activities. For now lets way for authority to find the truth behind the criminal act.
New Year Message continuous to inspire
Time for tribalism has gone, its new year 2010 which is not a time to generalise tribe or community instead of one person. It is time to focus on the real issue far from tribal criticism, political party criticism, leaders criticism, and very far from abuses or insults. We should also debate far from abuses of any single commenter on ST forum, to myself I want to be a man of tolerance, peace, responsbility, respect, forgiveness, love, unity and courage . It is time to get serious and work for the betterment of my nation South Sudan Democratic Republic of Victoria, South Sudan should be call Victoria, because the long struggle is victory, CPA is victory, South Sudan liberation is victory, our insecurity will be a victory, election and referrendom are potential victories. South Sudan future source of hydro electricity power is White nile which has its source at Lake Victoria, unqestionable the name fits.
I didn’t change myself because of pressure or whatsoever, it could be my 2010 resolution. Sometimes you don’t expect the public to pay their attention on you.Brave man conquers the fear like I did previously. However I come to realised that, I am not truly free if I am taking away and abusing someone else’s freedom of expression and speech, just as I am not free when my freedom is taken from me and been abused. This is why I finally come to reason that, me and the rest of concern Southerns will transformed South Sudan into a country that is not comfortable place for those who opposed to democracy, parliamentary law, parliamentary debate, independent and fair courts. For now lets start new year with fresh mind and positive ideas that will improvement the managment of South Sudan, childish comments must be ignored. Some individual comment aggressively when they are defeated in debate, this spirit must be abandon. We are here to play a game ie you get defeated or you defeat others defends on the article and the extend of your debate, but don’t insult people. This is my new year inspiring message to ST viewers, contributors, pseuds, readers and editor. Finally if you come across a mistake or opposing view, please address it with dignity.
Mr Famous Big_Logic_Boy
Dinka Boy
South Sudan warns of violence against women
I thought that GOSS should not only warn the violence against women, children, and oldpeople,but also the killing of them.
We have known that the above people are the most victim of tribal war in the South leave alone the slash. See now how many innocent people are always killed when militias attack civilians. this should be the appropriate topic the Goss should address together with this traditional punishments.
The Goss should and must ammend the law that can prevent the acts of stealing method against women, children ,and oldpeople.
I though that the Goss should warn those who kill innocent people because of food instead of this minor traditional punishment. In deed, the traditional punishment is not good also because it dennied the right of women and children,but i think the Goss should combine them into one package.
Thanks
Deng Wel Deng
South Sudan warns of violence against women
Many thanks to the Government. A secular region like South Sudan should view women as partakers to the development right from the president to the ordinary villagers. Let us abolish our traditional instincts of viewing women as liabilities,source of capitalism, fulfillment of our sexual advances and for that matter aids is at corner and human right activists.
Time1
South Sudan warns of violence against women
First the vice chief justice, you need a bill which states clearly that violence against women and children is equals to abuse of human rights, this bill should be quickly forwarded to parliament and passed into the consitution, then an awareness canpaign is to be carried out by the civil and cumminty organisation to advise community to refrain from abuse of women and children, you explain to the community about their rights, so that they know their rights, many people like women and children are not aware of their rights, then any cases of violence or abuse should be reported to the authorities and police, those behind abuse of women and children should then be punished severely by the court. so steps need to be taken to make things happen and change, it will not happen on its own, the Justice ministry and social welfare need to work on all this laws and pass them into the law and spread awareness to citizens about their rights so they can report any abuses to the police.