South Sudan records over 2,200 cases of sexual violence in 2017

JUBA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- At least 2,297 cases of rape and sexual violence against civilians were recorded in conflict-torn South Sudan in 2017 alone, a senior government official has said.

Gender, Child and Social Welfare minister Awut Deng Achuil said many of the reported cases of gender-based violence (GBV) occurred in areas worst-hit by the country's five-year old civil war.

"According to the gender-based violence information management system, in 2017 alone, 2,297 cases of GBV survivors were reported and 13 percent of the reported cases were rape and the rest sexual assaults," Achuil said Tuesday at a ceremony marking the launch of 16 days of activism against GBV.

Achuil said the figures could be much higher because many sexual abuse victims across the country suffer in silence and perpetrators often escape unpunished.

"These cases are just a tip of the iceberg. Let us all work together to end GBV against women and girls," she added.

Civil society activist Chandiru Josephine said sexual violence against women remains a major problem in South Sudan and urged authorities to do more and end it.

"Gender based violence is real issue, it is not a rumour, not a story, it is happening to both men and women. I urge the government to ensure that violence against women is ended," Chandiru said.

South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the worst refugee crisis in Africa as some four million South Sudanese are displaced internally and externally, according to United Nations estimates.

A latest report by the United Nations Commission of Human Rights accuses the warring parties in South Sudan of using sexual violence and maiming as a tool of war.

Moustapha Soumare, deputy chief of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) urged the South Sudanese authorities to integrate protection of women's rights into the recently signed peace agreement and also tackle issues of impunity.

"South Sudan has experienced various forms of violence against women and girls and many of these are perpetuated in full view of family and community members, therefore impacting on the ability of women and girls to a life free of violence," Soumare said.

"Protection of women should be central to peace building. Let us stand together and end all forms of violence against women in the world and South Sudan." he added.