By James Innocent
Yei River County today joined the global campaign for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, highlighting the urgent need to protect women and girls, especially in digital spaces.
The event, running from November 25 to December 10, aligns with this year’s international theme: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”
Speaking at the commemoration, Ali Abdullah, the county’s police inspector, strongly emphasized that gender-based violence is a crime under police law, calling on men to respect women and abandon abusive behavior.
Mary Akujo, a woman living with a disability, said the observance has special meaning for “vulnerable people in Yei” who often lack support from both government and development partners.
She noted that in times of conflict or economic crisis, those already marginalized tend to suffer most.
AJania Amude, Director for Gender in Yei River County, urged that women’s rights be upheld across all sectors and in rural payams, commending partner organizations for their support and calling on government and development agencies to establish GBV offices in every payam to better respond to violence.
The event brought together a broad coalition of partners, including Community Creativity for Development; Community Change Organization; the Institute for Promotion and Civic Society; the Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace, and Justice; Voice for Change; Plan International; Agency for Disability; Maltesa International; Caritas; UNHCR; the Protection Cluster – South Sudan; and the GBV sub-cluster.
Ali Abdullah reiterated that domestic harm — whether physical or digital — will not be tolerated, while Mary Akujo urged the community to unite, not only to end violence but to build caring, supportive networks for the most vulnerable.
Amude’s closing appeal was clear: for lasting impact, local government must institutionalize GBV prevention and response by building dedicated offices across all payams, ensuring that women and girls have trusted places to turn when they face abuse.