The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, Anita Kiki Gbeho on Tuesday called for renewed commitment from both the government and UN partners to address sexual exploitation and abuse.

“I would like to call on government, donors, NGOs, private sector or UN to recommit to institutionalize and mainstream protection of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), this is part of our effort to eradicate sexual exploitation and abuse in South Sudan,” said Gbeho during the opening of the two -day workshop on sexual exploitation and abuse in Juba.

Experts from the UN, NGOs and government are discussing findings of the deep dive review and countrywide sexual exploitation risk assessment to enrich the five-year PSEA strategy.

 “We all know even one allegation of sexual exploitation and abuse has a potential to damage and undermine the excellent work we all do, I therefore, appeal to all humanitarians, development partners and peacekeeping actors to strengthen measures to eradicate sexual exploitation and abuse,” said Gbeho.

Christophe Reltien, the Head of office of the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, said the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse is not only about training and funding but entails leadership.

Reltien proposed a strategic, coordinated and practical approach toward prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, adding that collective response is highly needed.

 He said the European Union is working to ensure consistent and broader engagement on protection of sexual exploitation and abuse beyond the UN system.

“We need accountability at all levels in the system, we have monitoring and reporting mechanism in place but we need to definitely ensure that tentative, timely and effective response to cases of sexual abuse is a priority,” said Reltien.