Women in business face barriers in sexual harassment claims

JUBA – A senior South Sudan government official has identified sexual harassment as a major barrier hampering the development of women in business.

Speaking at a one-day national consultative workshop on women to identity problems facing businesswomen in South Sudan, Ayak Achuil Luak, the first undersecretary of the ministry of trade and industry said one of the greatest barriers hindering development of women in business are men who sexually harass women traders at the border crossing.

“One barrel against women is violence against and sexual harassment across the borders. We get this information as representatives of minister trade,” Achuil said.

“When we go to meet with our colleagues in East Africa, we are confronted with this. They tell us that our people are harassing women crossing the border,” Achuil added.

He called on security officers harassing women at borders to stop this shameful act with immediate effect.

“It is not only South Sudanese but also Ugandan, and Kenyan are being harassed and we got to stop this. I hope it will be noted by the politicians, and senior managers who make decisions such that we can bring this to an end,” he added.

Women cross-border traders often complaint of sexual harassment and exploitation, ranging from verbal sexual harassment to rape, and often citing pressure from border officials, a mostly male workforce, to provide sexual favors in exchange for better treatment at the border.

“Look at it, if this is your sister who comes to you saying that she was harassed, how do you feel? If that is your wife doing business and she comes back and tells you she was harassed at the border by a security person,” he said.

The official stressed the need for law enforcement agencies to mitigate issues of sexual harassment committed by immigration officers.

“We need to eliminate it, don’t want until it reaches your door. If a woman is harassed in Renk, consider that woman as your sister, wife, and relative who is doing business and should be protected,” he added.