S. Sudan Sexual Violence: School girls are now being taught self-defense skills

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Schoolgirls in South Sudan are being taught to protect themselves against sexual assault. The lengthy civil war has led to an increase in violence against women and girls, mostly by armed men. CGTN's Patrick Oyet reports on the initiative that's empowering young women.

These young women are learning self-defence skills. So they can protect themselves from sexual assault.

CHARITY ARUFA STAFF MEMBER, UJAMAA AFRICA "The whole aim of our programme or curriculum for the ladies or girls is just to get away, yeah we can hurt the person by poking the eyes, we just poke the eyes and we run away. We can't stand again and say the person is coming, I will stand, fight the person and win, no."

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders reports 125 women and girls were raped last month alone, in Bentiu, in the northern part of the country. And it's not just about fighting.

MARTHA VICTOR LORO PUPIL "If a man wants to rape you, there are things you can do to escape, there are also those who call young girls to their houses with intention to rape them or bring some gifts to young girls to entice them then rape them, I now know what to do when such men start approaching me."

NASRIN AL FADIL PUPIL "The training is good for us to learn when someone wants to attack you, you will know how to defend yourself."

Ujamaa Africa also runs a programme for boys. They learn about the effects of rape on girls and on themselves, including possible jail time.

PATRICK OYET JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN "Sexual violence is punishable by law in South Sudan but most cases don't make it to court - partially because of a long-standing mistrust of the justice system, and partially because during the war, people relied on traditional approaches to settling disputes."

Umajaa Africa raises taboo topics with young people, opening the door for such discussions in classrooms.

RAMADAN LADU BASHIR SCHOOL HEADMASTER "This programme is helping teachers as well. Some teachers were shy to talk about issues such as rape or sexual violence to pupils but with this training, they talk freely about it and we are beginning to witness a reduction in the number schoolgirls falling pregnant."

It's hoped that by training young people and raising awareness, there will be far less sexual violence in future generations. PO, CGTN, J, S. Sudan.