JUBA, South Sudan — A four-year project aimed at preventing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and promoting gender equality in South Sudan has concluded, with more than 38,000 people benefiting from its activities.

The multi-donor initiative, known as ResPEct: Stop SGBV – Respond, Prevent, Educate!, officially ended its implementation with a closing event in Juba, bringing together government officials, development partners, women leaders and project beneficiaries to reflect on its achievements.

The project was co-funded by the European Union (EU) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by the German development agency, GIZ.

According to the project organisers, the initiative supported internally displaced people, returnees and host communities in Aweil West, Juba and Yei River counties.

The programme focused on improving access to medical and psychosocial services for survivors of gender-based violence, promoting social change and strengthening gender equality.

Through Women and Girl Friendly Spaces and the One-Stop Centre in Yei, more than 12,300 survivors and people affected by sexual and gender-based violence received medical care and psychosocial support.

The initiative also worked with schools and communities to prevent violence, with a particular emphasis on engaging men and boys in discussions about gender roles and equality.

Beyond protection services, the project supported women’s groups in establishing small businesses and Village Savings and Loan Associations to strengthen their financial independence and improve their families’ livelihoods.

It also worked with female journalists to promote conflict- and gender-sensitive reporting and partnered with local non-governmental organisations to produce radio programmes addressing gender-based violence and equality.

The project further supported women’s organisations and community groups in developing recommendations intended to guide the government, civil society and development partners in addressing violence against women and girls.

Speaking at the closing event, European Union Ambassador to South Sudan Pelle Enarsson said addressing gender-based violence requires more than providing services to survivors.

He said prevention efforts must also address harmful social norms, strengthen women’s participation, improve institutional capacity and promote community ownership.

German Ambassador to South Sudan Sebastian Brökelmann said Germany had invested more than six million US dollars in GIZ’s ResPEct project since 2022.

He stressed that preventing sexual and gender-based violence is a global responsibility and essential to human dignity, justice and lasting peace.

The ambassador also emphasised the responsibility of the South Sudanese government to ensure peace and security for its citizens, particularly women and girls.

Meanwhile, Nunu Diana Alison, Director General at the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, said the project had benefited communities across several counties, including Juba, Yei and Aweil.

She noted that lasting gender equality requires not only changes in attitudes but also reforms to the systems and practices that sustain discrimination and limit opportunities for women and girls.

The closing event featured a gallery walk showcasing project results, a live radio talk show with participants, artistic performances and the unveiling of an art piece.

Although the four-year initiative has concluded, the statements delivered at the event highlighted the continuing need for government institutions, communities and development partners to sustain efforts to prevent gender-based violence and protect the rights of women and girls in South Sudan.

ENDS