Women and girls in Unity State have urged the state government to pass the long-pending Anti–Gender-Based Violence Bill, saying the law is needed to protect them from abuse and harmful practices, including early and forced marriage.
The call was made during a three-day women’s forum that concluded on Friday in Bentiu, organized by the UNMISS Field Office and the State Ministry of Gender as part of the global 16 Days of Activism. The event brought together 80 participants, including women leaders, traditional chiefs, youth, and senior government officials.
Nyataba Gatluak, a participant, said enacting the Anti-GBV and Family Bill is an urgent matter because “there are so many cases that are happening.” She said the formal law will help communities understand that gender-based violence must stop.
“We are urging the state government to pass the long-pending Anti-Gender-Based Violence Bill because the law is needed to protect women from abuse and harmful practices, including early and forced marriage,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mary Nyakuich, of the women’s union in Unity State, highlighted the need to protect widows’ property rights, saying some families still seize a husband’s belongings after his death, leaving widows vulnerable.
Unity State Gender Advisor Stephen Liah Kuach said the government is committed to addressing the challenges women and girls face. He added that the state will work with the national government to advance the bill.
“This bill needs to be passed into law. Women and girls in this country need to have equal rights,” he stated. “When it is put into law, it will help them have their rights recognized so that nobody will violate the law.”