NCCE Sensitizes Tempane Susu Groups on Gender-Based Violence

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in the Tempone District has sensitized members of Susu groups on gender-based violence (GBV), urging families and communities to reject harmful practices and promote peaceful coexistence.

The sensitization program, at the Presbyterian Church premises in Sumadhur, brought together members of the Songtaaba, Moyom and Tintaaleeb Susu groups as part of the Commission’s third-quarter activities.

Facilitating the engagement, Mr. Pasiba Williams expressed appreciation to participants for making time to attend despite the ongoing farming season. He described gender-based violence as a serious concern and urged citizens to take collective steps to prevent violence in homes and communities.

Participants identified poverty, disrespect, drunkenness, substance abuse, false accusations of witchcraft, and denial of sex as some of the factors that could contribute to violence within families and communities.

Mr. Gariba Author, Convener and Secretary to the Susu groups, called on couples and family members to respect one another and avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and substances that could trigger misunderstandings and violence.

He strongly condemned the practice of accusing elderly women of witchcraft when family members fall sick or experience misfortunes. Mr. Author urged the younger generation to respect elderly women and desist from attributing sicknesses and other challenges to witchcraft simply because a woman has grown old.

He questioned why women who were respected and valued when they were younger should suddenly become targets of witchcraft accusations in their old age.

Mr. Williams further explained that harmful cultural and traditional beliefs that negatively affect women and children should not be tolerated. He identified lack of education, weak law enforcement, unequal power relations between men and women, and children’s exposure to violence as factors that can contribute to GBV.

He noted that gender-based violence takes various forms, including sexual harassment and rape, female genital mutilation, human trafficking, and emotional and economic abuse.

Mr. Williams urged community members to intervene when they witness acts of violence, empower women and children economically, report cases to traditional authorities and security agencies, and support awareness-creation initiatives.

He emphasized that legal reforms, continuous civic education and awareness creation within homes and communities were essential to addressing gender-based violence and promoting peaceful family relationships.

The NCCE therefore called on citizens to respect elderly persons, stop accusing elderly women of witchcraft, reject harmful traditional beliefs and work collectively to build peaceful, respectful and violence-free families and communities.