Dec 8, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — The United Nations Mission in South Sudan organized a week-long workshop to train the police and other members of the security task force on how to identify and handle sexual and gender based violence cases in the country.
According to UNMISS, Police, Migration and Prison officers, participants learned and discussed a range of issues related to special situations that might emerge in the course of their duties, such as identifying the signs of those suffering from sexual or gender-based violence
The training include how to identify and provide assistance to those who might be experiencing psychological trauma and other mental illnesses.
“identifying and providing help to those who might be experiencing psychological trauma; and identifying and assisting those who have special needs, such as mental illness, including by referring the special-needs cases through appropriate judicial mechanisms.” UNMISS statement added
The police appreciates the workshop calling it an “eye-opener’ as they were equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and help those showing signs of trauma or mental illness, and to support their recovery
“We learned to analyze cases of sexual and gender-based violence as well as to identify and manage trauma and cases of mental illness,” said Akech, one of the female attendants of the workshop.
“We were taught to give responses consistent with respect for human rights.”
Speaking during the workshop, UNMISS Deputy Police Commissioner Mutasem Aljadid Almajali stressed that UNMISS stands in solidarity with South Sudan police and the people they are sworn to serve.
Mutasem reiterated that the United Nations will continue to support the South Sudanese officers after their training to enhance their investigation skills and help improve relations with their communities – in the interest of preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence.
Almajali urged those attending the workshop to carry forward what they have learned, and spread their new knowledge to their colleagues in their future work.
The workshop was conducted by UN Police Officers working for UNMISS as part of a series of events in line with ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ – a global campaign that runs every year from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.
South Sudan is one of the countries whose rate of gender based violence is still high with studies indicating that 65 percent of women and girls in South Sudan experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.
