UN calls for end to domestic violence in Jonglei

November 26, 2013 (BOR) – The United Nations in South Sudan’s Jonglei state have called for an end to gender based violence during an event to launch 16 days of activism against violence against women and children.

Mubashir Ahmad, the head of the UN’s refugee agency (UNHCR) in Bor made the comments on Monday 25 November, while opening celebrations for the international day for national protection of women and girls in Jonglei, which commemorates the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.

The 16 days of activism culminates on International Human Rights Day which falls each year on 10 December. Ahmad sad that this was “symbolically links violence and Human Rights to emphasize the magnitude of these acts as a fundamental violation of human rights.”

“In commemoration of the day, we will see today and tomorrow the women of Jonglei peacefully marching together to demonstrate their presence and action, as well as the need for enacting those existing laws of the country that protect women and set them as equal in rights and dignity to men, as brothers and sisters”, said Ahmad in his speech.

Under the theme “Promote Peace at Home, Stop violence against Women and Girls”, Ahmad said gender based Violence (GBV) was an issue for both men and women.

“We will also have later the white ribbon campaign, where men symbolically will wear a white ribbon promising that they will never discriminate and commit any abuse against a woman”, he said.

The UNHCR is global mandated to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable people, he said, adding that they are providing support to the Jonglei state’s ministry of gender, child and social welfare.

Government officials, speaking at the event, promised to work had to stop gender based violence. However, Deng Ajak, the Jonglei director of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner admitted that gender based violence “is not the top of our government priorities”.

The issue was, however, on the on “the list”, he said, adding that the government is “working hard to meet international goals” on the subject.

Hundreds of women and children suffered from abduction and killing in the state as result of cattle raiding and other violence between ethnic groups since South Sudan’s independence from Sudan in 2011.

Jonglei’s minister of gender, Anok Omot, the minister of local government, Ding Akol Diing and RRC director, Deng Ajak attended the celebration.

(ST)