In a bold step to safeguard the rights of adolescent girls, EVE Organization for Women Development, with support from UNICEF, has launched a new initiative aimed at improving access to gender-based violence (GBV) services for women and girls in Yambio and Mundri East County.

The project comes at a time when many young girls, especially those married early face heightened risks of abuse, exploitation, and marginalization.

At the launch in Lui Payam, married adolescents between age 15–18 gathered for an awareness session focused on personal safety, trust-building, and accessing essential GBV support services.

The session offered a rare opportunity for married girls, who often remain isolated, to learn skills that can protect their well-being and help them navigate difficult circumstances.

“This initiative is giving us hope,” said a 16-year-old participant, who wished to remain anonymous. “We are learning where to turn when we feel unsafe, and that our voices matter.”

The program separates adolescents into three tailored groups to address their specific needs: younger adolescents (11–14 years) receive foundational training on safety and confidence, married girls (15–18 years) focus on trust and decision-making, and unmarried girls (15–18 years) learn strategies to resist harmful practices like child marriage.

Spanning 11 consecutive weeks, the initiative combines interactive sessions with links to vital GBV services and referral pathways. By doing so, EVE Organization aim not only to equip girls with knowledge and skills but also to foster resilience and create safer, more inclusive communities.

Through this activity, EVE Organization reaffirm its commitment to breaking cycles of vulnerability, empowering women and ensuring that every woman and girl in Western Equatoria can live free from violence and reach her full potential.