Parliament told to summon security chiefs over sexual assault

JUBA – A women’s rights organization has petitioned the parliament to summon the interior minister, inspector general of police, defense minister and the army chief to explain the reason for “targeted harassment and intimidation against women.

“The RTNLA should summon the minister of interior and the inspector general of police to explain before the august house on the reason for targeting, harassing intimidating and policing women bodies in Jonglei state,” Jackline Nasiwa, the Executive Director of Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice said in a petition to Jemma Nunu Kumba, the Speaker of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly.

“The RTNLA should summon the minister of defense and the chief of general staff on the causes of communal violence and their plans to end the rampant intercommunal violence,” she added.

Nasiwa said the group condemns all forms of Gender-Based Violence and discrimination against women and girls, noting that the women’s group wanted to see tangible actions taken against the perpetrators.

“The increasing levels of Sexual and gender-based violence against women and the girl child is a tradition that violates women’s rights, inconsistent with our laws and call upon actors to protect these fundamental rights,” said Nasiwa.

“This prevalence is increasing and violence and sexual abuses of women including children are increasing. These are issues that the parliament needs to take oversight and legislate on them, it is time to end the violence and foster peaceful coexistence among our peace-loving people,” she added.

John Agany Deng, the chairperson of Specialized Committee for Information, Communication Technology and Postal Services in the RTNLA said the government is committed to improve the situation in the country.

“We have received a group of women, they have come to share issues with the speaker, the nationwide concern about women and especially in the area of Gender based violence which is always facing our women in South Sudan,” said Deng.

“The government is capable, the government is doing more than enough, and it is good news that the president is taking action for the betterment of all of us, the government will improve the situation,” he said

Agany said that the group have discussed with legislative assembly how they would have necessary laws and regulations to help their smooth operation, noting that the assembly is ready to make positive laws for their operation.