The Strength Within

"As a woman, be strong and courageous, challenges will always be there especially in marriages/families. These challenges might make you feel helpless and vulnerable to the extent of giving up but that shouldn't be the case. Show your strength and speak up and seek help."

A 30 year old female survivor of GBV (Financial/Economic Abuse from the spouse) from Juba county, Gurei, who is the sole breadwinner of her family and taking care of her children from the livelihood support she received from WOJE, encourages other women to not give up and take action by showing their courage and strengths in overcoming the challenges, as she did when she finally stood firm to fight against her own challenges and found her strength within.

A 38-year-old female survivor of rape urges women and the victims of GBV to take action and report.

Sarah, (not the actual name of the survivor) is a survivor of rape who later gave birth to a son as a result of the violent act perpetrated against her. And her child is now in the safe house and protected. She urges everyone to take action and report any abuse or incidents of GBV to the authorities and the right people that will help.

"My message to everyone and especially to women and girls in South Sudan is to gather the courage and report to the authorities and the right people any form of violence perpetrated or witnessed so as to get justice and the immediate help, like medical and legal including psychosocial services. Keeping quiet won't help you, instead you will be punishing yourself emotionally and psychologically. I reported my case and got help and support and when I found out I was pregnant as a result of rape, I was distressed but got counseling and made the right choice to keep the child and now he's in the safe house and protected from any harm that could come from the perpetrator, while I'm receiving livelihood support from WOJE and safe in the community."