Report of a preliminary assessment of gender-based violence in Rumbek, Aweil (East and West), and Rashad County, Nuba Mountains

Gender-based violence (GBV) is defined as any harm perpetrated against a person that results from unequal power relationships. While violence may take many forms, in South Sudan violence disparately impacts women and girls. As such forms of violence are cyclical, it will undoubtedly undermine efforts at reconstruction and development if left unaddressed. Domestic violence is the main form of GBV identified by those surveyed. In addition to beatings, women interviewed identified exclusion from education, not being recognized in public forums, not having access to property, not being able to negotiate custody of their children, not having a voice in whom or when their children marry as violations of their basic human rights. The assessment provides a variety of prevention activities including community education of basis human rights, reproductive health services, and legal assistance to victims of GBV. This assessment is part of USDA/University of Missouri"s ongoing efforts to promote increased agricultural productivity, natural resource conservation and capacity building in Southern Sudan. (University of Missouri website abstract)