Residents of Gurei North in Juba County have pledged to eliminate gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage and other harmful practices after completing a 13-week community dialogue programme aimed at changing social attitudes and protecting women and girls.
The public declaration was made during a community event on Monday, bringing together government officials, traditional and religious leaders, women, youth and local residents.
Participants endorsed new social norms promoting gender equality, girls’ education and the protection of vulnerable people.
The programme was implemented by Women for Justice and Equality (WOJE) with support from UNICEF under the project, Empowering Communities’ Capacities to Prevent, Mitigate and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Against Women and Girls in Juba, Central Equatoria State.
Community leaders said the weekly dialogues had begun changing attitudes towards practices such as child marriage and domestic violence.
Local Chief Sheikh Rabbi Musa said more families were choosing to educate their daughters rather than marry them off at an early age.
“Change is happening, although it is gradual, and many families are now embracing peaceful living,” he said. “More parents are choosing to educate their daughters instead of marrying them off early.”
Representing UNICEF, Simon described the declaration as the beginning of a longer journey rather than the end of the programme.
“This is just the beginning, not the end,” he said. “You have shown your love for your community by dedicating 13 weeks to discussing harmful practices affecting Gurei North.”
He encouraged the community to continue investing in education, vocational training and sports as tools for empowering young people and preventing violence.
Lt. Col. Harriet Ginaba, Executive Director of the Association for Women in the Security Sector, said protecting and educating girls remains one of the most effective ways to reduce child marriage and gender-based violence.
“Women deserve respect, protection and equal participation in decisions that affect their lives,” she said.
Central Equatoria State Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports Bush Buse praised WOJE for working with local communities to promote peaceful coexistence and women’s empowerment.
He urged young people to become ambassadors for peace and positive social change within their communities.
WOJE Executive Director Zabib Musa Loro said the project had combined community dialogue with survivor-centred support services and women’s economic empowerment initiatives.
“We remain committed to working alongside communities and partners to build safer, more inclusive environments where women and girls can live free from violence,” she said.
Central Equatoria State Minister for Gender, Child and Social Welfare Elizabeth Pita Lugor congratulated residents for embracing the programme and challenged them to uphold the commitments they had made.
“As we abstain from physical violence, let us also abstain from emotional violence,” she said.
The event concluded with drama, music and poetry promoting accountability, girls’ education and support for survivors before community leaders signed a public declaration committing to end gender-based violence, child marriage and discrimination against women, girls and other vulnerable members of society.
