United Nations Population Fund or UNFPA says protecting women and girls, requires effective laws and prosecution of perpetrators to end violence against them.
Speaking during the launch of the 16 days of activism in Juba, Country representative Dr. Mary Otieno appeals for urgent re-commitment to end all forms of gender based violence including rape.
‘We are once again reminded of the urgent engagement and re-commitment needed from all of us to build a future free of sexual and gender based violence. Protecting our mothers, sisters and daughters requires leadership and sufficient resources, effective laws and the prosecution of perpetrators to end impunity. Let us harness all our energy, ideas and leadership to end gender based violence and in particular, rape against women’ says Otieno.
Some of the girls who participated in the occasion call on the government to protect women and girls in the country.
They also call on men to stop raping women and girls.
‘Today is a great day to me in many things. Let them help us as women and girls. If my mother sends me to the shop at night for example, sometimes those who smoke opium and drunkard can rape me on the way. So I’m telling them that such practices are not good. The government should protect us, including our mothers’. There are so many things happening to women, including rape. The government should protect us by holding perpetrators of rape accountable’, the girls stresses
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.
This year, the celebration is under the theme; ‘Join hands: Stand against Rape’.
The event is marked yearly from November 25th to December 10th, Human Rights Day.