16 Days of Activism Against GBV

Author(s): Rita Martin Lopidia

Executive Director

Eve Organization for Women Development

Eve Organization is a South Sudanese Women’s Organization founded with the aim of contributing towards social change through promoting gender equity and equality, social justice, peace and security of women.

https://evesouthsudan.org/ 

Correspondence: [email protected]   

Citation: Lopidia. 16 Days of Activism Against GBV.  South Sudan Medical Journal, 2023;16(4):153 © 2023 The Author(s) License: This is an open access article under CC BY-NC DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ssmj.v16i4.10 

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an annual campaign spearheaded by the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare in partnership with UN agencies, INGOs and Civil Society Organizations. The campaign starts with a march around Juba, and in other cities in South Sudan, on 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs through to International Human Rights Day on the 10th December.

GBV in South Sudan is exacerbated by the harmful cultural gender norms, gender stereotypes, and the long history of conflicts. These factors are often used to justify violence against women and girls and the perpetrators are mainly men. So, to resolve GBV, it is crucial to engage men and boys.

The ‘Eve Organization for Women Development’ is under the protection pillar of the UNSCR 1325, and during the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV, it joins the campaigns of the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. It also runs an online campaign encouraging everyone to get involved. It amplifies the voices of survivors, and encourages donors to support women’s organizations and activists and strengthen women-led movements. Eve supports all acts that empower survivors, reduce and prevent violence against women and girls, and protect women’s rights in South Sudan. 

Eve does the following on GBV:

  • Conducts live radio talk shows to discuss the issues of GBV and provide information on the referral pathway for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), aiming to raise awareness about GBV and SGBV, provide a platform for survivors to share their experiences, and educate the public on how to access support and services. 
  • Provides training to the ABC level courts using the UNDP GBV pocket guide to ensure that courts have the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively handle GBV cases in a sensitive and informed manner.
  • Organizes ABC forums to bring chiefs, individuals, and organizations together within the community to work together and advocate for increased implementation of GBV legislation. 
  • Trains and engages boys and men, in the areas of GBV and gender equality (GE). This involves educating males on how GBV and GE impact their communities and the importance of promoting protection for those who are most at risk.
  • Provides training and education on GBV legislation, human rights, and gender equality to police and prison staff, with the aim of equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle GBV cases in a professional and effective way.
  • Manages cases of victims of GBV through the Phycological Focal Points (PFPs) in the locations where it implements its activities. Eve provides comprehensive support to GBV survivors and refers them to the established network of referral pathways to ensure that they receive the necessary care and resources to recover from their traumatic experiences. 

Eve works with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare to effectively tackle persuasive GBV issues by supporting safe house and has donated beds and furniture for the safe house in Kapoeta. Eve strongly advocate and lobby on combating GBV with decision-makers and policymaker leaders by meeting them face to face and training them on GBV regulations and protection.