The UK ambassador to South Sudan has called for zero tolerance of violence against women and urged the government to sign the convention to eliminate discrimination against women.
Alastair McPhail made these declarations in a statement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women that is celebrated today.The ambassador called on everyone in South Sudan to focus on the challenge of eliminating violence against women because gender-based violence devastates lives and undermines development.
Mr. McPhail urged the Government of South Sudan to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women to give a clear signal to the international community that the new country is serious about putting women’s rights first, and ending gender-based violence.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women kicks off a sixteen day campaign on violence against women, culminating in International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
The campaign calls for everyone to work to eradicate gender-based violence, including men, the police and security forces, the government and private sectors, and rural and urban communities.