Under the auspices of the Leaders of Peace project, Eve Organization has achieved a milestone in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by successfully conducting concurrent trainings targeting key stakeholders at Torit Guest House in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State.
The trainings, which ran from January 30th to February 1st, focused on equipping participants from the ABC Courts, police, and prison wardens with essential knowledge and skills to effectively address GBV issues in their respective domains.
The first training session, facilitated for the ABC Courts, aimed at empowering them with the UNDP GBV Pocket guide, enabling them to adeptly settle and handle cases of GBV within the court system. Concurrently, another training was conducted for police and prison wardens, focusing on GBV legislations, human rights, and gender equality. Both groups were encouraged to engage in group work sessions followed by presentations, fostering collective discussions on pertinent issues affecting their work.
The training sessions were honored with the presence of the Director of Law Enforcement from the Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement, who highlighted the significance of targeting relevant institutions pivotal to upholding the rule of law, justice, and public order. Emphasizing collaboration, he stressed the importance of engaging stakeholders such as the Ministry of Gender Child and Social Welfare, and Civil Society GBV Working Group to bolster protection efforts.
One of the notable challenges observed during the training was the low literacy rate among participants, particularly in writing. Many attendees required assistance from their peers, underscoring the pressing need for capacity-building initiatives like these to address fundamental skills gaps.
The facilitating team, consisting of four staff members, including a representative from the finance department, traveled from Juba to Torit via MAF airline to implement the activities. During the opening remarks, the Director of Law Enforcement underscored the training’s objective of enhancing the capacities of law enforcement personnel to safeguard the rights of women and girls effectively. He acknowledged the critical role of expertise in handling GBV cases, emphasizing the need for expert intervention to ensure justice for victims.
The overarching goal of the training sessions was to equip participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to address GBV comprehensively within their communities. By arming law enforcement agencies and court personnel with practical skills and resources, Eve Organization aims to catalyze positive change in Torit, fostering a safer and more equitable environment for all.
With these trainings, Eve Organization continues to demonstrate its commitment to combatting GBV and promoting gender equality, paving the way for a more just and inclusive society in South Sudan.
