Speech of Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng at GBV Court

Right Hon. Speaker of the TNLA, Jemma Nunu Nkumba 

Chief Justice, Lordship Chan Reech Madut 

Hon. Ministers in attendance  

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 

Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General Distinguished guests  

Members of the press 

Ladies and Gentlemen  

Good Afternoon 

April 27, 2022 (Juba) — It is an honor for me to be here with you as we continue to  reaffirm our commitment to address the critical concern of  Gender and sexual-based violence in this country. This is an  issue at the core of our peace, stability, and development as a nation.  

We live in a country that emerged from the struggle. The  burning desire for the right to self-determination, dignity,  equality, and justice was the light that guided us towards our  liberation and, eventually, our independence.  

Because of this history, that has been stained by inequality  and injustice, we must continue to protect the rights that so  many have paid the ultimate price to achieve. 

The extent to which we as a society tolerate gender  inequality, will ultimately reflect upon the health and  wellbeing of our nation as a whole.  

Although it may be a complex, subject to approach,  particularly here in South Sudan, as the chairperson of the  Gender and Youth Cluster, I pledge to work hard to see to it  that those who harm and abuse others are brought to justice. 

The inauguration of this gender-based violence and juvenile  court in December 2020 was a significant milestone in  achieving this. 

This court not only facilitates access to justice for survivors, it  also safeguards individual liberty, privacy, security, and  human dignity.  

I hope that by visiting this court today, we can highlight the  strength of this institution and elevate public confidence in  our judicial process, especially among women and girls.  

However, Gender-based violence is not only a legal matter, it  is also sociopolitical in nature and requires the attention of  healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, community  leaders, and elders, working in close collaboration with the  justice system. 

In order for survivors to feel safe reporting their cases, it is  important that we create a conducive environment in which  they come forward. I hope that all agencies and practitioners that deal with this issue are able to have a desk or  department, that is trained and dedicated to handling sensitive GBV cases. This means having more, well-trained female first responders to GBV cases, especially in law  enforcement.

Although I spoke with the IGP about having a GBV desk operated by female officers, we must continue in this spirit in  all relevant agencies. 

I have noted that this court takes a survivor-centered  approach that provides services tailored to the immediate  and specific needs of the victims.  

I firmly believe that one of the most critical services that can  be provided to both survivors and perpetrators is psycho social support. Counseling and healing are important tools for  creating a safe environment and helping to challenge the  norms around Gender-based violence. 

I often say, in this country, we are ALL traumatized. We suffer  from unhealed generations of trauma brought about by  conflict and the deep sorrow of loss. As a result, we are at  each other throats because we have not been able to face  each other with truth and forgiveness. Trauma is like a  wound that will only intensify in both pain and consequence if  left untreated. 

Since I came to the office as your Vice President, my staff and  I have regularly been taken through stress management and  coping presentations. We learnt about the definitions, the causes and the different types of stress from a counsellor  (who is here with us today).  

These presentations have helped my staff, and even myself,  to feel more relaxed, confident and able to respond  effectively to issues in the work environment. 

Integrating these types of mental health and psycho-social  support in GBV prevention and response is key.  

Finally, it is the courage and strength of the survivors that  drives this court forward. We must, therefore, continue to  make it a priority to create safe spaces for women, girls and  all survivors to come forward and report their cases. 

Together with our partners, we have made advances in  ensuring that access to justice is a reality for the vulnerable in  our society. But there is still more that must be done.  

I continue to dream about a society free from Sexual and  Gender Based violence, where women and girls can live free  from discrimination and inequality. However, in order for this  dream to come true, we must all continue to reaffirm our  commitment to this issue. 

I am inspired by the work of my colleagues in government,  our partners and all those who are working institutionally and  personally to stand against Gender-Based violence. May we  all remain strong and united in the face of this social menace.  

Thank you all for your attendance and attention.