“I am finally clear on how we, as concerned citizens, can report on human rights violations and sexual or gender-based violence. I am definitely going to pass on this learning to my neighbours,” says Melado Martha, a member of the Anika Women’s Association in Yambio, Western Equatoria.

Martha was speaking at a two-day workshop organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on monitoring and reporting human rights violations in the state.

The two-day forum brought together some 40 young women and men, religious leaders and civil society organizations.

“We noticed as part of our regular interactions with local police stations that cases related to rape or sexual abuse of women were increasing,” reveals Albert Maurice Mugabushaka, a Human Rights Officer working with the UN Peacekeeping mission. “We immediately realized that we have to train community members to monitor the human rights situation within their neighbourhoods and among their extended social circle. This is how they will be able to report and advocate for remedies and make a positive change,” he adds.

During the interactive sessions, participants were trained on the UNMISS mandate, basic human rights principles, provisions contained within South Sudan’s transitional constitution on upholding human rights, plus reporting on and preventing sexual and gender-based violence.

“As a human rights activist, I can confidently say that such trainings are vital for us to be able to report violations in a timely manner and ensure that women in our communities are safe from any abuse,” stated Lucy Jinaba, an activist working for the Young Women’s Christian Association.