Until recently, "gender issues" were shunned in many parts of Southern Sudan, as violence against women continued largely unabated. But efforts to curb the violence are now on the rise as more women speak up against it.

Collaborating with the Southern Sudan Police Service (SSPS) and partners, UN police have joined the crusade by setting up police station gender desks. The desks encourage women who have suffered gender-based violence to report the abuse, ensuring strict confidentiality and providing a rapid response.

Three gender desks were initially set up in the capital Juba, but the effort is now heading further into the south. Assited by UNMIS funding, the first desk outside Juba opened its doors in Yei in December 2007.

Inaugurating the Yei desk, the town's acting Chief of Police, Captain Malish, noted that UN Police had already provided local officers with training on gender-related matters, ensuring optimal use of the office and appropriate personnel.

Executive Director of Yei County Andrea Silas called for gender offices at police stations outside Yei as well as more training for police officers. Speaking on behalf of women organizations in Yei, Mama Sara Natalimo appealed for police promptness and objectivity when dealing with gender-related cases.

Also attending were Director of Yei Prisons Col James Lisamure, UNDP representative Emmanuel Joof, Yei River County Senior Legal Adviser Benjamin Kuc Marial Riak, and UN Police representatives.