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UN PhotoSOUTH SUDAN / CHILD PROTECTION WORKSHOP
TITLE: SOUTH SUDAN / CHILD PROTECTION WORKSHOP
TRT: 04:07
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 23 APRIL 2024, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN / FILE
03 SEPTEMBER 2018, YAMBIO, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots of child soldiers.
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Babatunde Sunday, Political Affairs Officer, UNMISS:
“The senior military officers play a very important role in this endeavor. Your leadership, guidance and commitment are essential for translating legal frameworks into concrete action on the ground. Your engagement in this workshop, therefore, is pivotal as it will equip you with necessary tools to effectively integrate child protection principals into military activities.”
23 APRIL 2024, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
3. Various shots military officers in the hall
03 SEPTEMBER 2018, YAMBIO, SOUTH SUDAN
4. Various shots of child soldiers.
23 APRIL 2024, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Gen. Chol Thon Balak, South Sudan’s Minister of Defense:
“I reiterate the commitment of the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, and SSPDF (South Sudan People’s Defence Force) to make sure children are fully protected and no child should be involved in six grave violation by individual or group recruitment and use of children, killing and maiming of children and sexual violence against children, abduction of children, attack and occupation of schools and hospitals and, lastly, the denying of humanitarian access. Our children are not supposed be in the military barracks but in the classrooms and not to carry guns but exercise books and pens.”
6. Various shots, military officers
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Patricia Njoroge, Chief of Child Protection, UNMISS:
“As we gather here, let's take a moment to reflect on the remarkable progress that has been made in the implementation of the Comprehensive Action Plan to end and halt the six grave violations in South Sudan. The tireless efforts of government and United Nations dedicated teams have yielded significant achievements, contributing to the declining number of grave child violations.”
03 SEPTEMBER 2018, YAMBIO, SOUTH SUDAN
8. Various shots, Child soldiers
23 APRIL 2024, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Obia Achieng, UNICEF, Deputy Representative:
“Governments are the primary duty bearer in protecting the children. They are also duty bearer according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, responsible for upholding child rights and these stablishing systems that ensure justice and services for children are provided.”
Across South Sudan, thousands of children have suffered immense harm from being forced to join armed groups to serve as fighters, cooks, porters, messengers, spies or for sexual purposes. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan is supporting the country in its efforts to end this practice and strengthen the protection of children, including providing training to the military forces. This week a workshop was held targeting senior military officers in Juba.
SOUNDBITE (English) Babatunde Sunday, Political Affairs Officer, UNMISS:
“The senior military officers play a very important role in this endeavor. Your leadership, guidance and commitment are essential for translating legal frameworks into concrete action on the ground. Your engagement in this workshop, therefore, is pivotal as it will equip you with necessary tools to effectively integrate child protection principals into military activities.”
In February 2020, the Government of South Sudan signed a Comprehensive Action Plan to end and prevent the six grave violations against children in the context of armed conflict in South Sudan. UNMISS is supporting the implementation of this plan through awareness raising, building capacity, conducting joint missions to verify allegations of recruitment and use, helping to secure the release of children, and monitoring and reporting grave violations.
SOUNDBITE (English) Gen. Chol Thon Balak, South Sudan’s Minister of Defense:
“I reiterate the commitment of the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, and SSPDF (South Sudan People’s Defence Force) to make sure children are fully protected and no child should be involved in six grave violation by individual or group recruitment and use of children, killing and maiming of children and sexual violence against children, abduction of children, attack and occupation of schools and hospitals and, lastly, the denying of humanitarian access. Our children are not supposed be in the military barracks but in the classrooms and not to carry guns but exercise books and pens.”
By implementing the action plan, both the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and the main opposition force have been moved from Section A to Section B in the Secretary’ annual report on children in armed conflict, which identifies national armies and other military groups known to violate one or more of the six grave violations. The ultimate objective is for South Sudan to be removed entirely from the list.
SOUNDBITE (English) Patricia Njoroge, Chief of Child Protection, UNMISS:
“As we gather here, let's take a moment to reflect on the remarkable progress that has been made in the implementation of the Comprehensive Action Plan to end and halt the six grave violations in South Sudan. The tireless efforts of government and United Nations dedicated teams have yielded significant achievements, contributing to the declining number of grave child violations.”
Children are a gift and deserve to be protected, nurtured, and given the opportunity to reach their full potential in life.
SOUNDBITE (English) Obia Achieng, UNICEF, Deputy Representative:
“Governments are the primary duty bearer in protecting the children. They are also duty bearer according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, responsible for upholding child rights and these stablishing systems that ensure justice and services for children are provided.”
