In South Sudan, the ICRC and SSRC are addressing sexual and gender-based violence through sports and arts initiatives, reaching over 5,000 community members. Their efforts include football tournaments and discussions to raise awareness and combat stigma, while providing direct support to survivors. The focus is on promoting supportive community behaviors and creating safe spaces for dialogue to reduce the taboo surrounding sexual violence.
In South Sudan, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the South Sudanese Red Cross (SSRC) engage communities through sports and arts to raise awareness about sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and combat stigma. They recently organized the first SGBV-focused football tournament in Lainya, where community members participated, highlighting the urgency of this pressing issue.
Local schools and communities recognize the significant problems surrounding SGBV, as many women face dangers like assault when performing daily tasks. Mixture of community narratives reveals the fear prevalent among residents, especially females, who often express concern about the rampant cases of rape.
In 2024, ICRC and SSRC reached over 5,000 community members with awareness sessions on SGBV in nine locations. They also provided direct support to survivors, including mental health services, cash assistance, and training for medical staff on the clinical management of rape, ensuring urgent care within 72 hours of an incident.
During one of the football matches, the referee paused gameplay as community discussions emerged about the importance of timely medical care for sexual violence victims. Media representatives emphasized the need for increased awareness about available support and how crucial it is to address these topics through various platforms, including radio.
SSRC volunteers initiated discussions addressing the stigma surrounding SGBV, illustrating through imagery the implications of victim blaming. Community discussions aimed to foster support for survivors rather than isolation. By creating safe spaces for dialogue, ICRC and SSRC work against the deeply ingrained taboos surrounding sexual violence.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan normalizes sexual violence, perpetuated by years of conflict. The stigma survivors face compounds their hardships and leads to isolation, further deterring them from seeking help. Although challenging, community behaviors can be influenced to promote supportive environments which reject harmful norms.
Through sports and arts, the ICRC and SSRC strive to transform perceptions about sexual violence and support survivors, facilitating change via conversations, sporting events, and theatrical performances.
The collaborative efforts of the ICRC and SSRC in South Sudan incorporate sports and arts to confront and raise awareness about sexual and gender-based violence. Their initiatives have reached thousands, providing support for survivors and fostering dialogue to eliminate stigma. While the challenges of changing community perceptions remain, these creative approaches pave the way for a more supportive environment for victims of sexual violence.
Original Source: www.icrc.org
