The Deputy Governor of Eastern Equatoria State is encouraging women and young girls to report cases of Gender Based Violence or GBV to the concerned authorities.
Mary Lodira Alphonse also tells mothers to encourage their daughters to prioritize on education because it is a key to success.
She regrets that many families are forcing their daughters into forced early marriages for money, due to the economic crisis in the country.
“The theme this year is take action, someone has to come out and report because if you don’t report, no one will know what has happened to you either at night, day or any corner. So women have to have courage to report cases that is happening to them, and also the young people you have to report anybody who is forcing you into marriage. Even if you heard that somebody is being forced into early marriage ,you have to report. Is the person in agreement to the marriage or there is somebody forcing her into marriage because this world economic crisis has become a problem, people want to force their children into marriage to get money, you mothers I know we are going through difficult situation but do not sell your child into marriage, encourage them to go to school”.
The Deputy Governor calls for accountability into GBV cases.
Mary Lodira also calls for collective responsibility to end GBV against Women and Young girls.
“It is the responsibility of the government to protect all the citizens regardless of who they are, now that woman who is seating there who will be beaten tonight because she has not heard of this, as we are talking now there is a woman going through beating, the only thing for her is to remain quiet because they have paid dowry, she cannot leave the marriage, she cannot say anything, she cannot report because even the chief will take her as a liar even including police, I am asking everybody in EES to say down to Gender Based Violence”.
Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Jennifer Nabongoreka, appeals to the state government, to allocate funds to help address issues affecting women and young girls.
“Government of EES should allocate the budget will address the issues of women and girls, protection and emphases on multi-sectoral approach particular in provision of services to GBV survivors through resource mobilization and involving everybody in fighting GBV in the state, therefore it is our collective responsibility to eradicate GBV in the society”.
The officials were speaking during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence at Torit Freedom square.
It was organized by the State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare on Friday.