Women’s rights organizations and youth advocates in South Sudan have renewed pressure on the government to fast-track the long-pending Anti-Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Bill, warning that continued delays are leaving women and girls without adequate legal protection.
The renewed push follows a high-level follow-up meeting between civil society actors and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, held under the “Justice for Her” campaign.
The engagement brought together young women leaders, advocacy groups, and representatives of women-led organizations to assess progress on the bill and agree on next steps to accelerate its enactment.
Organizers said the meeting was driven by growing frustration among young women over the slow pace of the legislative process, despite the bill being widely recognized as critical to addressing gender-based violence in the country.
Speaking during the engagement, Global Voices Organization (GVO) Executive Director Josephine Chandiru said many young women are increasingly demanding accountability and clarity on the status of the proposed law.
“We are here to understand where the Anti-GBV Bill currently stands and to push for its enactment,” Chandiru said. “Young women across the country are asking serious questions about why this law has taken so long. The time for action is now.”
She emphasized that the delay in passing the bill continues to expose survivors to violence without sufficient legal safeguards, noting that stronger legislation is essential to prevention, protection, and access to justice.
In response, Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, Hon. Nuna Rhoda Rudolph, acknowledged the concerns raised by the advocates and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the bill.
“Your presence here reflects a shared national commitment to justice, dignity, and the protection of women and girls,” she said. “Gender-based violence is not only a social issue it is a legal, moral, and developmental challenge that must be addressed urgently.”
The Minister described the Anti-GBV Bill as a national priority, expected to strengthen legal frameworks for prevention, accountability, and survivor support.
However, she noted that the process requires consultation and coordination across institutions to ensure a comprehensive and effective law.
Participants at the meeting agreed that the next critical step lies with the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, where the bill is believed to be under review.
The Gender Ministry directed advocates to intensify engagement with the justice sector to obtain clearer timelines and push the process forward.
“This legal reform requires patience, consultation, and consensus,” the Minister said. “But it must also move forward with purpose and deliver results.”
The meeting also underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between government, civil society, and the media in advancing the bill.
Advocacy groups highlighted the role of public awareness campaigns in amplifying survivors’ voices and keeping the issue on the national agenda.
Under the Justice for Her campaign, supported by Equality Now, organizations such as DOVE and YWCA Juba have been actively engaging policymakers to ensure that the lived experiences of survivors are reflected in the proposed legislation.
Stakeholders described the engagement as a critical moment for legal reform, signaling renewed momentum after years of delay.
They stressed that passing the Anti-GBV Bill would mark a significant step toward addressing widespread violence and strengthening protections for vulnerable populations.
With commitments reiterated on both sides, attention now turns to concrete actions and timelines that will determine whether the long-awaited legislation will finally be enacted.
Advocates say they will maintain sustained pressure until the bill is passed, insisting that its enactment is essential for building a safer, more just South Sudan for women and girls.
