Campaign launch signals urgency
South Sudan’s Acting Minister of Gender, Sarah Cleto Rial, opened the 2025 edition of the 16 Days of Activism, underscoring a growing call to end gender-based violence across the nation.
Her televised address framed the campaign as a collective mission, aligning domestic efforts with the global initiative observed from 25 November to 10 December.
Digital violence in South Sudan rises
Rial warned that smartphones and social platforms have opened new fronts of abuse, exposing teenagers, especially girls, to cyberbullying, exploitation and the unauthorised sharing of intimate images.
She called digital violence “a growing threat to women and girls globally and here at home,” noting that connectivity outpaces protective legislation and community awareness.
Government pledges multi-sector response
The minister cited earlier policies and awareness drives as foundations, yet admitted current measures lag behind the scale of the problem.
She urged ministries, schools, tech providers and grassroots groups to coordinate resources, emphasising that ending gender violence demands “commitment and courage from all sectors.”
Global campaign fuels local momentum
Over the next 16 days, rallies, workshops and media programmes are planned nationwide, aiming to translate pledges into safer schools, markets and online spaces.
Rial concluded, “Let us work toward a country where every woman and girl lives with dignity, safety and freedom,” a message civil society voices say can galvanise year-round action.