Some stakeholders in Torit state this Wednesday attend Human Rights Forum under the theme ‘Protecting Children against Harmful Practices and Other Violations’.
Torit state Deputy Governor, Margret Itto while speaking at the launching of the workshop calls for combined effort between the government and its partners to aware citizens on their rights.
Itto says it is important to discuss the rights of citizens.
“When we are talking of the rights of our people, when we are talking of the rights of the women and we are talking about the rights of the children. It is very important. It is important to create awareness. Everybody has the right to all the services including health, education, protection and the right to live”
UNMISS Human Rights Division Head in Torit; Anthony Nwapwa says they are collaborating with the state government to ensure that rights of the people are maintained.
He says children are so important to the future growth of the state and should be protected.
“The future of Torit state lies in our children. We need to protect them; we need to ensure that they grow, develop and mature in to better citizens. It is incumbent on us to do this. The law expects this from us; it is our responsibility to ensure that we hand over the banner to the next generation. And for us to effectively do this, we need to protect our children”
Civil Society Organization Chairperson in Torit; Charles Okulu appreciates the political will of the state government for initiating the Human Rights Forum.
“The future of every country lies in the hands of the politicians. And for us, I want to assure all of us that we are very happy we have very very good politicians. Who are always from time to time stand with the people. And this is the opportunity that we need to use so that we work together in collaboration with our politicians. All the stake holders to address critical issues which affect our community”
The workshop is jointly organized by Civil Society Network of Eastern Equatoria and UNMISS-Human Rights Division, in collaboration with the state government to discuss issues on early and forced marriages, child abduction and girl child compensation.