Yei Workshop Enhances Gender Based Violence Response

(Yei) – A total of 25 officers from the police and prison services in Yei River County have received specialised training to improve their capacity in managing cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The training was held on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, and was organised by the Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ), a national women-led civil society organisation.

The training focused on several critical areas including survivor-centred approaches, protection mechanisms, health advocacy, human rights awareness, and improved access to justice for victims of SGBV. Participants were drawn from law enforcement agencies directly responsible for responding to such cases across the county.

Nunu Diana, the project coordinator at CIGPJ, expressed appreciation to both the police and prison leadership for allowing their officers to take part in the two-day training. She stated that the initiative was designed to provide the officers with essential knowledge and practical skills to respond appropriately and professionally to cases of gender-based violence.

“We aim to create an enabling environment for SGBV survivors to access justice without any form of barrier,” she said.

Nunu also thanked the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) for its financial support, which she said has been vital in helping to advance the rule of law and human rights in the area.

Nancy Adokrach, an NPA official coordinating civil society programs under the women’s rights project, commended the facilitators and CIGPJ for their efforts. She reaffirmed NPA’s commitment to continuing its support in strengthening local responses to SGBV and empowering women to take active roles in political life.

“We will continue supporting our partner CIGPJ to strengthen SGBV responses and promote women’s participation in political spaces,” Adokrach noted. She also urged law enforcement agencies to uphold justice through professional conduct and non-discriminatory practices, free from corruption and bribery.

Major General Ali Abudalla Tiff, the Yei County police inspector, urged all participating officers from both police and prison departments to apply what they had learned during the training. He acknowledged that many officers had previously struggled with managing SGBV cases due to limited training.

“Many of our officers were failing in their duties because they lacked the required knowledge. I am confident that with this training, they now understand their responsibilities better,” he said.

The police inspector also praised CIGPJ for organising the workshop, calling it an important step toward enhancing equal access to justice in a timely and professional manner.

Towongo Santos, a representative from the Yei local government, encouraged the officers to implement the knowledge gained to strengthen the justice system in the county.

Deborah Anyiet, one of the officers who attended the training, described it as timely and necessary. She said both the police and prison services frequently receive reports of SGBV, especially against women and girls.

“With this training, we are now more confident in how we respond to these cases and how we advocate for justice and protection for survivors. We still urge organisations like CIGPJ to continue supporting and training more officers and other groups across the county,” she said.