Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoUnifeed
SOUTH SUDAN / GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
TRT: 2:43
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 26 NOVEMBER 2019, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
26 NOVEMBER 2019, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various Shots, participants marching
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Dudu Emilia, Yei resident:
“They should stop those challenges, like the rape cases, because for us women, we are the victims, so they should stop it. They should not continue anymore because if they continue, it means for us that we will live a miserable life. We are the vulnerable people; we need to at least to be taken care of so that our children also grow in a happier life.”
FILE - JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN, 2013
3. Various Shots, people in streets during 2013 crisis
26 NOVEMBER 2019, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
4. SOUNDBITE (Local Language) Achol Atem Nyinguut, internally displaced resident of Bor:
“This happened in the village. And in the villages, there are no proper police units or stations where you can go and report this crime.”
5. Various Shots, victims at event
6. Various Shots, fuel-efficient stoves exhibition
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Felix Dzuvurumi, Acting Representative in South Sudan, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
“Through the agricultural value chain, one of the most important impacts we are having is to ensure that women are empowered economically. Once you empower women economically, they can be able to stand for themselves and determine their destiny.”
8. Various Shot, Short Play
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Unaisi Vuniwaqa, Police Commissioner, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“So, stand against rape is about turning decades of inaction into a tangible, global sisterhood that is getting stronger and telling perpetrators that their time is up.”
FILE - 12 SEPTEMBER, ADDIS, ETHIOPIA, 2018
10. Various Shots, Addis Peace Signing
FILE – SOUTH SUDAN
11. Back Shot, Armor Vehicle
12. Various Shots, Women and Children
Marching to the beat of a powerful movement against sexual and gender-based violence in South Sudan, the message from these women is simple: enough is enough. It is time for the violence to stop so they can live their lives free of fear and empowered to reach their full potential.
SOUNDBITE (English) Dudu Emilia, Yei resident:
“They should stop those challenges, like the rape cases, because for us women, we are the victims, so they should stop it. They should not continue anymore because if they continue, it means for us that we will live a miserable life. We are the vulnerable people; we need to at least to be taken care of so that our children also grow in a happier life.”
During the brutal conflict that plagued South Sudan for five years, thousands of women and girls suffered from rape and other forms of sexual violence. Achol Atem Nyinguut had to flee her home during the fighting. She was raped by unknown gunmen and her child was kidnapped.
SOUNDBITE (Local Language) Achol Atem Nyinguut, internally displaced resident of Bor:
“This happened in the village. And in the villages, there are no proper police units or stations where you can go and report this crime.”
Achol did not report the rape and her child has never been found. She received no medical support at the time and continues to experience the physical consequences of the abuse to this day. She is not alone in her suffering.
At an event hosted by the UN mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to mark the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, many women courageously shared their stories in the hope of preventing sexual violence and ending impunity.
They also demonstrated how support from UN agencies like the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is improving their safety and ability to support themselves. For example, these fuel-efficient stoves reduce the need to travel into the bush to collect firewood where the threat of sexual violence lingers.
SOUNDBITE (English) Felix Dzuvurumi, Acting Representative in South Sudan, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
“Through the agricultural value chain, one of the most important impacts we are having is to ensure that women are empowered economically. Once you empower women economically, they can be able to stand for themselves and determine their destiny.”
While these initiatives might address the immediate threat, women long for a day when the threat of sexual violence no longer exists in the wider environment, so they don’t have to limit their experiences and opportunities in life. It is a message supported by their female counterparts working for the UN.
SOUNDBITE (English) Unaisi Vuniwaqa, Police Commissioner, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“So, stand against rape is about turning decades of inaction into a tangible, global sisterhood that is getting stronger and telling perpetrators that their time is up.”
A peace deal signed last year has reduced political violence, contributing to a subsequent drop in cases of conflict-related sexual violence. In 2018, there were 238 cases involving 1291 survivors. So far this year, there have been 79 incidents involving 195 survivors. So, despite the country’s grim history, there is finally a glimpse of hope for the women of South Sudan.
Download
There is no media available to download.
