US envoy urges punishment for GBV perpetrators

JUBA – The U.S. Embassy in South Sudan on Monday called for stiffer punishment for perpetrators as an effective way to end violence against women in the world’s youngest nation.

The embassy made this call on the occasion to mark the 31st anniversary of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“The Embassy of the United States remains as committed as ever to supporting efforts to end GBV in South Sudan.  We call on the transitional government to hold accountable perpetrators of GBV,” it said in a statement issued on Monday.

It also urged the transitional government to take needed steps to eliminate gender-based violence in the country.

“We also urge the transitional government to take needed steps to create an environment in which GBV is eliminated.  This requires concrete changes that will improve education, health, and security, and ingrain the goal of eliminating GBV into the central mission and value system of South Sudan’s security forces.”

It reaffirmed the embassy commitment in supporting the government accelerating the achievement of gender equality.

“We stand with those committed to protecting the human rights of women and girls in South Sudan.  We stand with those committed to accelerating the achievement of gender equality.”

The UN mission in South Sudan contends that although armed conflict is declining in the country, conflict-related sexual violence is steadily gaining momentum in the country.

In a report, the mission disclosed that there was a whopping  218% increase in rape cases in the world’s youngest nation between April and June and implored the government to save women and the girl children from this unfortunate trend.