<p>The UK on Wednesday announced sanctions against individuals and institutions it claims are responsible for gender-based violence in Iran, Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.</p>.<p>Marking <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/international-womens-day" target="_blank">International Women's Day</a>, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced the measures during a visit to Sierra Leone, where he is meeting women MPs instrumental in passing reforms to support gender equality.</p>.<p>"This package includes four individuals and one entity involved in grievous activities -- including military figures who have overseen rape and other forms of gender-based violence in conflicts in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic," the Foreign Office said in a statement.</p>.<p>It also sanctions Iranian institutions responsible for enforcing mandatory dress codes for women "with unreasonable force".</p>.<p><b>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/gender-inequalities-inequities-in-healthcare-clinical-research-are-alive-1198257.html" target="_blank">Gender inequalities, inequities in healthcare, clinical research are alive!</a></b></p>.<p>"Promoting gender equality brings freedom, boosts prosperity and trade, and strengthens the security of us all," Cleverly said.</p>.<p>"However, hard-won gains on gender equality are under increasing threat. These sanctions send a clear message that the perpetrators of abhorrent gender-based violence must be held accountable," he added.</p>.<p>Those sanctioned include Major General James Nando, who commanded the South Sudan People's Defence Forces, and is accused of being one of "the main perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence in Tambura County in 2021".</p>.<p>Mahamat Salleh Adoum Kette has also been sanctioned for overseeing rape by fighters in the Central Africa Republic (CAR), while Amjad Youssef has been targeted for similar actions in Syria.</p>.<p>Cleverly is currently in Sierra Leone visiting his mother's hometown of Bo "to see how UK-funded projects are helping women and girls".</p>.<p>The sanctions build on a previous wave in December, which included 18 designations targeting individuals accused of being involved in abuses of human rights, six of which were related to sexual violence.</p>
<p>The UK on Wednesday announced sanctions against individuals and institutions it claims are responsible for gender-based violence in Iran, Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic.</p>.<p>Marking <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tag/international-womens-day" target="_blank">International Women's Day</a>, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced the measures during a visit to Sierra Leone, where he is meeting women MPs instrumental in passing reforms to support gender equality.</p>.<p>"This package includes four individuals and one entity involved in grievous activities -- including military figures who have overseen rape and other forms of gender-based violence in conflicts in Syria, South Sudan and the Central African Republic," the Foreign Office said in a statement.</p>.<p>It also sanctions Iranian institutions responsible for enforcing mandatory dress codes for women "with unreasonable force".</p>.<p><b>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/gender-inequalities-inequities-in-healthcare-clinical-research-are-alive-1198257.html" target="_blank">Gender inequalities, inequities in healthcare, clinical research are alive!</a></b></p>.<p>"Promoting gender equality brings freedom, boosts prosperity and trade, and strengthens the security of us all," Cleverly said.</p>.<p>"However, hard-won gains on gender equality are under increasing threat. These sanctions send a clear message that the perpetrators of abhorrent gender-based violence must be held accountable," he added.</p>.<p>Those sanctioned include Major General James Nando, who commanded the South Sudan People's Defence Forces, and is accused of being one of "the main perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence in Tambura County in 2021".</p>.<p>Mahamat Salleh Adoum Kette has also been sanctioned for overseeing rape by fighters in the Central Africa Republic (CAR), while Amjad Youssef has been targeted for similar actions in Syria.</p>.<p>Cleverly is currently in Sierra Leone visiting his mother's hometown of Bo "to see how UK-funded projects are helping women and girls".</p>.<p>The sanctions build on a previous wave in December, which included 18 designations targeting individuals accused of being involved in abuses of human rights, six of which were related to sexual violence.</p>