Alfred Futuyo Karaba, Governor Western Equatoria state. (Courtesy).

The Governor of Western Equatoria State has urged his people to take responsibilities for their actions and fight the vices of Gender-Based Violence.

Alfred Futuyo Karaba made the remarks during the launch of the construction of a Safe House for GBV survivors in Yambio town on Monday.

“Here they expect everything from the government, even dressing, people forget, food also you will see someone will refuse to eat and only drinking and sleep on the road and say that the government is it the government to do so,” Futuyo said.

“But who told you to drink? I want to tell you to start from yourself, we are there causing suffering for ourselves and our families,” he added.

The governor believes that domestic violence and other forms of GBV are caused by irresponsible people in the society.

Once completed, the GBV Safe House will be a sanctuary for people who suffered gender-related abuses in their homes and communities.

There are 297 individuals survivors 150 female and 147 men survivors, according to the statistic of last year for Yambio County particular

The construction of the building has an estimated cost of 50,000 US dollars.

It is implemented by Human Rights Civil Society Organization HMCSO with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.

Speaking on behalf of partners, HMCSO Executive Director Abel Dominic said they are committed to implementing the project within the frame of time.

He called on the government to support the construction and make sure the communities benefit from it.

“Today we are here to launch the construction of a safe house because of the issues we have found our women and girls are facing,” he said.

“The objectives of this safe house is to create and establish a safe environment for protecting and mitigating gender base violence and protecting survivors.”