Women and girls in South Sudan need protection since the current conflict is hitting women and children the hardest. They suffer from horrendous acts of violence and rape, forcing them to flee for their lives.
Women and girls in South Sudan need protection since the current conflict is hitting women and children the hardest. They suffer from horrendous acts of violence and rape, forcing them to flee for their lives.
This was said by Special Representative of the Secretary General to South Sudan as the world commemorated International Women's Day.
“This is unacceptable. Women and girls should not face the double burden of fleeing for their lives, and face a second threat of being subject to sexual violence. The women and girls of South Sudan deserve to be protected and to be safe,” says Hilde F. Johnson, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to South Sudan.
In a statement, she said that not only are women and children caught in the cross-fire, they are often targeted. She said that incidents of sexual violence have affected far too many girls and women, adding that the acts have reportedly been perpetrated by both sides of the conflict. Information received and published in United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)’ Interim Human Rights Report suggests that sexual violence has been a consistent characteristic of the crisis in all the affected areas.
The statement added that rape, forced abortion, sexual harassment and abduction have occurred at a far higher rate during the conflict than during times of peace. Vulnerability increases when women and girls collect water or firewood, live in camps or areas of internal displacement, or, worst, in areas overrun by fighting.
The women and children that are making up the majority of the more than the 800,000 people displaced in South Sudan, of whom more than 70,000 are in UNMISS-bases, are facing these challenges. Another 226,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries.
UNMISS has a team of Women Protection Advisors dedicated to investigate allegations of violence or harassment, enhancing assistance and responding.
“Within our Protection areas, where women and girls also face such threats, UNMISS is working to prevent sexual violence and offer immediate response to survivors. It is our obligation to do our utmost to protect the women and girls of South Sudan,” she said.
South Sudan celebrated International Women’s Day under the national theme "Peace and Security." The occasion gave women the opportunity to speak out against war and conflict, sexual and gender based violence, need for male children for education, early and forced marriage of young girls and several other issues of concern.
As the world was remembering women, the UN has reported in its latest situation update that the situation remained volatile in Jonglei, Unity and Upper Nile states. It says that the area around Melut in northern Upper Nile State remained a key concern for aid agencies, as both conflict parties continued to mobilize, possibly ahead of further clashes.
Early this month, fighting occurred in Juba in the army barracks, reportedly between elements of the South Sudan armed forces, but was contained by 6 March. Tens of soldiers were reported to have been killed during the skirmishes said to have been over disagreement on payment of salaries and allowances.