GVO Trains Male Champions to Strengthen Fight Against Gender-Based Violence in Juba

The Global Voices Organization (GVO) has launched a two-day community engagement programme in Goroyo II, bringing together 30 male champions, community leaders, police officers, and youth representatives to strengthen efforts to prevent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through positive masculinity and community-led action.

The initiative convened participants from Gudele and Goroyo II, including chiefs, Special Protection Unit (SPU) officers, faith leaders, legislators, youth leaders, and gender focal persons, intending to empower men to become advocates for gender equality and the protection of women and girls.

Speaking during the opening session, GVO Assistant Advocacy Officer Narumanga Julie Justin-Severio said the programme is designed to equip influential men with the knowledge and skills needed to challenge harmful gender norms and promote peaceful, respectful relationships within their communities.

“The main reason we are here today is to engage and mentor 30 male champions, including chiefs, police officers, faith leaders, legislators, youth leaders, and gender focal persons, to advocate for positive masculinity and non-violence within our communities,” Julie said.

She explained that the two-day programme combines training on positive masculinity with a community football awareness match, which will conclude the engagement on Friday.

“We are using sports as a platform to engage men and boys, promote peace, and raise awareness on gender-based violence while encouraging positive attitudes towards protecting women and girls,” she added.

Throughout the dialogue, participants examined the root causes of gender-based violence, discussed the impact of harmful social norms, and explored practical ways men can contribute to preventing violence. They emphasized that community leaders and male role models have a

critical responsibility to promote respect, accountability, and equal treatment of women and girls.

Addressing the participants, the Deputy Director of the Special Protection Unit, Lt. Col. Miller Eluzai Nakemai, called on community members to report all cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence promptly to the relevant authorities.

He noted that every police division in Juba has a Gender Desk dedicated to handling cases involving gender-based violence, rape, domestic violence, and other violations of women’s rights.

“Many people were unaware of these services, but now they know where to report cases so survivors can receive support and perpetrators can be held accountable,” Nakemai said.

He stressed that timely reporting is essential to ensuring survivors receive protection, medical care, psychosocial support, and access to justice while enabling law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute offenders.

Representing the youth, Jonas, from the Juba Block One West Youth Office, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step towards strengthening collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies in addressing gender-based violence.

He said the engagement had improved participants’ understanding of available reporting mechanisms and encouraged greater community involvement in preventing violence against women and girls.

The community engagement forms part of GVO’s broader efforts to strengthen grassroots awareness, improve referral pathways for survivors, and build a network of male champions who will continue promoting positive masculinity, gender equality, and non-violence in their respective communities across South Sudan.

By engaging men as partners in preventing violence, GVO hopes to foster lasting behavioral change and encourage communities to take collective responsibility for creating safer and more inclusive environments for women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.