Two health and counseling centers have been launched in Bor town to assist survivors of gender-based violence.

The centers at Bor and Jonglei women association will clinically treat gender-based violence survivors in a confidential space with skilled staff provided by the ministry of health and world health organization.

The centers will not only provide treatment but also to support women with their legal cases.

The State Ministry of Health, Dr. Jehan Michek said that many survivors suffer from psychological problems like depression, suicide, anxiety and sexual dysfunction.

“The counseling centers will help because when our population is traumatized, there is this cultural resistance to speak about any trauma.

“Whether women or men, when they are traumatized or sexually assaulted or raped, it is difficult to talk about it.

“Within the counseling center, it is a place where we have an office and social workers that will be available to respond to those victims of sexual assault.

“In the state hospital, we have clinical department where you are treated to avoid STDs; if you are raped, there is possibilities of being exposed to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, unwanted pregnancy are clinically treated at that centers.

“And also psychologically, the treatment and the counseling happen within the hospital.”

Doctor Jehan urges the population to report cases of Gender Based Violence to the center without fear.

The project is being supported by United Nations Population Fund which has provided medical equipment and trained a medical team on how to handle the survivors of gender base violence