Learners at Hope and Wisdom Nursery and Primary School in Juba have been encouraged to challenge harmful practices such as early and forced marriage through education and awareness, as part of a gender-based violence (GBV) sensitization campaign conducted by Global Voices Organization (GVO).
The awareness session brought together pupils, teachers, and school administrators to discuss the effects of gender-based violence, child protection, and the importance of safeguarding the rights of children.
The initiative aimed to equip learners with knowledge about their rights, the dangers associated with violence and abuse, and the available mechanisms for reporting cases of misconduct within schools, homes, and communities.
Speaking during the event, Narumanga Julie Justin, Assistant Advocacy Officer at Global Voices Organization, said the campaign was designed to empower both girls and boys with information that would help them protect themselves and others from violence.
“We are here to educate learners about their rights, including the right to education and protection from violence. We want them to understand that abuse is never acceptable and that they have a right to seek help whenever they face any form of violence,” Julie said.
She stressed that gender-based violence affects both girls and boys, noting that many children suffer in silence due to fear, stigma, or lack of information about where to seek assistance.
She added that educating children at an early age is essential in building a society that respects human rights and promotes equality.
Julie also highlighted the importance of promoting positive masculinity among boys, encouraging them to become advocates for respect, equality, and non-violence within their schools and communities.
“Boys have a critical role to play in ending violence. By teaching them about respect, responsibility, and equality, we can help create a generation that rejects harmful practices and supports the rights of women and girls,” she said.
She further reaffirmed GVO’s commitment to supporting survivors of violence through psychosocial services and community-based interventions aimed at strengthening child protection systems across South Sudan.
School administrators welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that addresses some of the social challenges affecting children, particularly girls, in many communities.
Malith Samuel Mabil, Director of Studies at Hope and Wisdom Nursery and Primary School, said the awareness session would enable learners to make informed decisions and become ambassadors of positive change within their families and neighborhoods.
“The issues of gender-based violence, early marriage, and forced marriage remain common in some communities. When learners receive accurate information, they are able to understand their rights and educate others around them,” Mabil said.
He noted that children often serve as powerful agents of change, carrying messages learned in school back to their homes and helping to transform community attitudes and behaviors.
Mabil urged parents and guardians to prioritize education for both boys and girls, emphasizing that investing in children’s education contributes to national development and helps reduce poverty, illiteracy, and social inequalities.
“Educating a child is not only beneficial to the individual but also to the entire nation. Communities that value education are more likely to prosper and overcome harmful practices that hinder development,” he added.
Teachers at the school also praised the awareness campaign, saying it provided learners with valuable knowledge that could shape their future decisions and aspirations.
Madam Rose Again Athuai, a teacher at the school, said she had personally witnessed cases of early and forced marriage and called on communities to abandon traditions that prevent girls from accessing education.
“Parents should allow their daughters to remain in school and pursue their dreams instead of forcing them into marriage at a young age.
Girls deserve the same opportunities as boys to learn, grow, and contribute to society,” she said.
She further challenged the perception that girls should be viewed primarily as sources of wealth through dowry payments, arguing that educating girls provides far greater long-term benefits for families and communities.
According to participants, the session created an open platform for learners to ask questions, share experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of issues affecting children and young people.
Many students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn about their rights and the importance of speaking out against violence and discrimination.
The awareness campaign forms part of Global Voices Organization’s broader efforts to strengthen child protection, promote gender equality, and encourage communities to actively combat gender-based violence and other harmful practices affecting vulnerable populations across South Sudan.
Stakeholders at the event emphasized that ending early and forced marriage requires collective action from parents, teachers, community leaders, government institutions, and development partners.
They called for continued awareness programs and stronger support systems to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment and access quality education without fear of violence or exploitation.
