Gender-based Violence (GBV) is harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender, and in most cases, tantamount to justifiable human rights violation. Gender-based violence (GBV) impedes economic and societal prosperity by intimidating the potential contribution of a vital segment of the population. South Sudan is one of the African countries with the highest GBV prevalence, ranging from cases of intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, exploitation, and assault, forced and early childhood marriages, and social disregard for gender-specific needs. Violence against women is more detrimental to economic development in countries without protective laws against domestic violence. In South Sudan, Ruweng Administrative Area reported the highest GBV cases in 2022 (43.1%). At least 78% of the households in Pariang have experienced domestic GBV, 45% of the women in Pariang do not feel safe in the community, 64% cite domestic violence, and 21% cite sexual harassment as the reasons for fear.

The lack of redress mechanisms for women and girls in Pariang has led to attempted suicide as an option for women facing GBV threats. Suicide cases were reported in the recent past; two ladies, on different occasions, committed suicide as a result of forced marriage. The women do not feel supported by the local structures, and rape cases and forced marriages are not taken seriously by the police or other authorities. Lack of reliable administrative systems, Cultural practices, and beliefs intensify GBV. Alcohol and drug abuse are among the main drivers of GBV in the community. Drunkard men, armed youth, and traders are the main perpetrators of GBV. Poverty heightens GBV cases, where households develop harmful coping mechanisms. Floods and recurrent tribal clashes lead to displacement into IDP camps, and the congestion in the camps and lack of basic needs expose women and girls to sexual harassment, exploitation, and Abuse. Fathers view their daughters as sources of wealth for selling off to marriage, and women are generally perceived to be vulnerable and helpless.

The fear of every mother

Driving into the villages in Pariang, we come across Elizabeth Awur Ajang, a 45-year-old mother of five boys and three girls from Yida Payam in the Ruweng Administrative Area. The fear in her eyes is, “What might eventually happen to my daughter as she turns 15 years”. She narrates the story of a 14-year-old girl in the neighborhood who was forcefully married off by her father. Like the case of many girls, “The father could not submit to our pleading, and he rudely claimed he owned the daughter and progressed to marry her away to his older friend,” The mother of the girl attempted to object her husband from marrying their daughter who in turn beat her to massive injury and threatened to kill her if she continued to challenge him.

The girl, Elizabeth, concealed her name, had to drop out of school, and bear children at a young age. The girl’s health deteriorated because she was traumatized by the harsh reality of caring for her newborn and the other family members in her new home. “Sometimes she had injuries, meaning her husband was beating her in addition to the heavy burden of house chores such as walking long distances to fetch water.” Childhood and forced marriage are some of the predominant forms of GBV that Elizabeth identifies had a harsh and lasting impact on the victims and the entire community. “It destroys most bright futures.”

’Elizabeth’s’ Expectation

Every community member is responsible for protecting the rights of women, children, and men. Parents should educate their children, especially girls, rather than viewing them as sources of wealth. GBV is a human rights concern because people who experience it may suffer from different human rights violations. ‘Elizabeth’ and all humanitarian, development, and government agencies worldwide expect a society that ensures the safety of everyone regardless of their gender. Article 23 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits marriage without the free and full consent of the intending spouses. Article 26 states that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled, without any discrimination, to equal protection of the law.

The Global stainable development goal 5 (Gender Equality) Aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres. In line with the above global protection provisions, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with Human Rights Initiative for South Sudan, launched a pocket guide in 2017 on “Legal Provisions Relating to Gender Equality and Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in South Sudan” with a consensus on the need to transform and scale up the country’s gender legal framework, to enhance the protection of women and girls against discrimination, forced marriage and gender-based violence. However, despite all efforts, GBV cases in the counties in South Sudan are on the rise, and the women in Pariang still feel unsafe and not protected by the law.

The Hope of ’Elizabeth‘

Speaking to Elizabeth, she called upon the government of South Sudan to enforce policies safeguarding women and duly punish perpetrators of GBV. She hopes that every girl can have the chance to access education and the freedom to choose a spouse without fear and intimidation. Elizabeth believes that the government and the local authorities can protect the girl child and make every dream come true. She appeals to the national government of South Sudan to establish laws that protect girls and women against forced marriage. She requests the government to institute laws against domestic violence, sexual harassment, exploitation, and assault. Elizabeth also appeals to the relevant government instruments, such as the police, to enforce laws that protect the venerable members of society against GBV perpetrators. She calls upon the bench courts and other judicial organs in the country to ensure GBV perpetrators are held accountable.

Coalition for Humanity Joins Elizabeth and other women who are suffering in silence, to appeal to authorities, in line with article 23 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which prohibits marriage without the free and full consent of the intending spouses. We also appeal to other humanitarian and development partners to join us in solidarity with ‘Elizabeth to institutionalize GBV redress mechanisms, access to justice, and gender equality in the communities in South Sudan and beyond.