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STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE
TRT: 06:54
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: DECEMBER 2023, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, football game
2. Various shots, people watching
3. Various shots, running race
4. Various shots, people watching
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Christine Besong, Conduct and Discipline Officer, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“When we roll out to a community when we roll out to a country, it means there is already vulnerability. So, we cannot be the ones who are going to make it worse. We are not being the ones who are going to stigmatize the population even more. So, it is very important that the population know that we are here for them. For them to know that we are here for them, it is very important that they know that whenever there is a report of any sexual exploitation or misconduct, the UN takes it seriously, and there is punishment. And, of course, we partner with the population; we partner with the community. They are there, and they are part of the fight. So, they know what it is – they know what to report – and we work with them when it comes to sensitization. Which is what we are doing – we are working with them sensitizing the population – you heard them talking about sexual exploitation and abuse, because they have been trained. And we will keep training them and keep talking about it until we have indeed zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.”
6. Various shots, information cards being handed over
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Christine Besong, Conduct and Discipline Officer, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“We will be highlighting all of these things so that the population knows what it is – how to report and the importance to report. Because if they don’t report then we cannot punish. If there is no punishment, then they think there is impunity. We want to let the population know that for every single act of sexual exploitation and abuse, there is zero-tolerance – there is no tolerance, and it is going to be punished. We want the population to know that we cannot fight this on our own.”
8. Various shots, skits, traditional dancers, banner
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Christine Besong, Conduct and Discipline Officer, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“Today, the women of South Sudan are saying No. They are joining the voices of women worldwide. Because violence against women is never acceptable.”
10. Various shots, officials in attendance
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Maria Nakabito, Senior Victim Rights Officer, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“We seek to put right what has gone wrong to the victims and children born out of SEA [Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.]”
12. Various shots, prizes being given to winning team
13. SOUNDBITE (English) James Tatu, Director General, Central Equatoria State Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, South Sudan:
“By strengthening our systems, we can send a clear message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated. Zero tolerance. And that survivors will receive the support and justice they deserve.
14. Various shots, musicians, dancers, banners, attendants
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) celebrated on 7 December, the ‘Stand-down Day’ - one of many events commemorating 16 Days of Activism - an annual campaign to raise awareness and advocate for an end to Gender Based Violence (GBV).
For the last several years, UNMISS’s Conduct and Discipline Team (CDT) has dedicated December 8th as Stand Down Day – a day to address issues related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).
According to the CDT, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) is a prevalent form of GBV in South Sudan, and it remains a significant concern.
Prolonged conflict in South Sudan has contributed to the widespread occurrence of GBV, particularly sexual violence, which has been extensively documented.
Displaced women and girls face persistent threats and risks of GBV, including sexual violence, intimate partner violence (IPV), harassment, and early and forced marriage.
To shed light on these vices, and with this year’s theme, United Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse – the eve of the day saw mixed teams in the capital, Juba, battling it out in different disciplines, with the community cheering on.
Christine Besong, UNMISS’ Conduct and Discipline Officer, said, “When we roll out to a community when we roll out to a country, it means there is already vulnerability. So, we cannot be the ones who are going to make it worse. We are not being the ones who are going to stigmatize the population even more. So, it is very important that the population know that we are here for them. For them to know that we are here for them, it is very important that they know that whenever there is a report of any sexual exploitation or misconduct, the UN takes it seriously, and there is punishment. And, of course, we partner with the population; we partner with the community. They are there, and they are part of the fight. So, they know what it is – they know what to report – and we work with them when it comes to sensitization. Which is what we are doing – we are working with them sensitizing the population – you heard them talking about sexual exploitation and abuse, because they have been trained. And we will keep training them and keep talking about it until we have indeed zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.”
The event was a collaborative effort between the Nyakuron East Indigenous Youth Association (NEIYA), the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Taskforce, UNICEF, UNMISS Protection Transition and Reintegration (PTR) Unit, the Gender Adviser Unit and the Conduct and Discipline Team.
Besong also said, “We will be highlighting all of these things so that the population knows what it is – how to report and the importance of reporting. Because if they don’t report then we cannot punish. If there is no punishment, then they think there is impunity. We want to let the population know that for every single act of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, there is zero tolerance – there is no tolerance, and it is going to be punished. We want the population to know that we cannot fight this on our own.”
South Sudan’s women and girls face persistent threats and risks of GBV, including sexual violence, intimate partner violence, harassment, and early and forced marriage.
Therefore, most of the messaging during the Stand-down Day was orientated towards their gender.
During the celebration, Besong said, “Today, the women of South Sudan are saying No. They are joining the voices of women worldwide. Because violence against women is never acceptable.”
Maria Nakabito, UNMISS Senior Victim Rights Officer, said, “We seek to put right what has gone wrong to the victims and children born out of SEA (Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.”
James Tatu, Director General of the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, said, “By strengthening our systems, we can send a clear message that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated. Zero tolerance. And that survivors will receive that support and justice they deserve.”
