Monday, June 29, 2020, Juba: Taking action to tackle crimes against women and children, the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) launched the coordination centre for the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Community Policing Unit (CPU) in Gudele area of Juba today.

Presiding over a ceremony to launch the unit at the centre in Gudele, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Lieutenant General James Pui-Yak said that the cases of domestic violence and sexual harassment have increased, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

“I encourage everyone to come forward and report cases of abuse and sexual violence to the police. This is the only way we can tackle the growing challenges of gender-based violence and hold perpetrators accountable,” said Lieutenant General James Pui-Yak. “We are bound by the constitution to protect every single South Sudanese in the country.”

He also encouraged more women to join the police forces to fight the challenge of gender-based violence and child abuse in South Sudan.

To strengthen democratic policing, human rights, and confidence-building, the centre will act as the coordination hub between all 10 states. The focus of the centre will be to tackle all cases of violence against women, children, and other vulnerable citizens, including instances of child delinquency, sexual and domestic violence, child abuse, and neglect.

In addition, three vehicles for community surveillance and patrolling was handed over by UNDP South Sudan’s Deputy Representative Elliman Jagne to the centre. The vehicles will be used in Juba, Aweil, and Bor. The centre also has a borewell system that will provide water to the entire community in and around the locality.

“A part of the collaboration is to make sure that cases of gender-based violence are given the right attention they deserve, and justice is served accordingly,” said Elliman Jagne at during the handover.

Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization Edmund Yakani, who represented civil society at the event, committed to working with the police and community to ensure effective use of the infrastructure provided.

The centre was renovated and equipped in partnership with UNDP, with support from the Embassy of Germany and the Government of Japan.

To learn more about UNDP South Sudan’s Access to Justice programme, visit the website here.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Mrinalini Santhanam, Communications, UNDP South Sudan

Tel: +211920580210

Email: mrinalini.santhanam@undp.org