Provision of GBV services in affected areas by ensuring the capacity of GBV Case workers and Government is improved leading to quality services and informed communities
The protracted war in South Sudan has aggravated already complex local protection concerns affecting girls, boys, women and men. Increased patterns of displacement in search of safety, food, and water has left populations more vulnerable to a number of risks ranging from physical attacks, gender based violence (GBV), recruitment of children and forced evictions. PASS intervention is to provide GBV services (women, men, girls and boys) in areas affected by armed conflict and other emergencies are better protected from violence, abuse and exploitation. Female and child-headed households remain at risk of sexual violence, abuse and exploitation. In the face of continuing violations against young girls and women, PASS will provides capacity building to its staff and community partner including government officials in project implementation locations, to ensure that they meet GBV prevention minimum standards and that personnel are adequately trained to provide quality services; support monitoring and collection of timely, objective, reliable and accurate reports on grave woman rights violations for evidence-based GBV interventions and provide inclusive social rehabilitation and economic reintegration of vulnerable women. PASS’s response has a strong GBV policies including provision of PSS, medical care, safe house, livelihood support and alternative education, in addition to referral to higher levels of care.
PASS anticipates that as a result of its intervention, further separation of girls and boys from families is prevented and addressed, and family-based or alternative care is provided; violence, exploitation and abuse of girls, boys and women are prevented and addressed, and existing systems responding to the needs of GBV survivors are improved. According to a PASS rapid assessment conducted in July 2019, most rape survivors suffered violations mainly carried out by uniformed men or militia. The assessment indicated that the situation of women, girls and boys is worsening as a result of tribal fighting. Communal conflicts over resources have led to an escalation of violence and clan disputes. Women and girls are at high risk of GBV and domestic violence compounded with cultural norms and fear of stigmatization of GBV survivors from community members. Domestic violence remained the most frequently reported protection concern. Several partners operating in South Sudan highlighted concerns with women at risk to sexual violence outside of the home due to their household role of finding alternative sources of livelihoods such as collecting wild foods outside of the settlement. Furthermore, early marriage was a key concern for girls, possibly driven by the need to secure more resources such as cattle through bride price. Cattle raiding continue to affect both men and young boys. Child abduction, often associated with cattle raids, is widespread and a key concern for protection regarding young boys and girls. Women who were interviewed by PASS team also pointed out their unawareness of fundamental rights under both customary and national laws. Specifically, cultural beliefs among the community were identified as a key driver in propagating gender based violence and early child marriage.
