UN Action is running an initiative that is pumping life back to the lives of victims of Gender Based Violence, creating hope by opening gates of opportunities for them

By Ajah Jennifer

So

uth Sudan continues to face significant challenges in curbing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV). According to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), 2024 saw a total of 1,019 violent occurrences recorded, affecting 3,657 civilians. Among them, 246 cases were classified as Conflict-Related sexual violence.

In response to this, the UN Action’s “Building Socio-Economic Resilience for Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence” project was launched for the 2024–2025 period to transform the lessons learnt into impact. A national conference was held on June 12, which brought together government officials, UN agencies, humanitarian actors, survivors, and community leaders to reflect on achievements, share challenges, and identify strategies for sustainability.

The joint initiative, supported by UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict, is conducted by UNFPA, UNMISS WPAU, Women’s Protection Advisory Unit and the International Trade Center under through the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare. It will run from January 2024 to June 2025.

The UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict is a network of 26 UN entities united in the goal of ending sexual violence in the wake of armed conflict. The project has so far directly supported 200 CRSV survivors across Bentiu, Bor, Juba, and Yambio. These individuals received integrated packages of medical, psychosocial, legal, and economic empowerment services. Beyond direct survivor assistance, the project has positively impacted over 10,000 community members, raising awareness and fostering supportive environments for survivors.

A representative from UNMISS, Sheila Keetharuth, stated that each survivor’s story was a testament of their unyielding spirit and the importance of standing together against sexual violence in conflict. “It is crucial that we support all survivors of conflict-related sexual violence with compassion, ensuring that they have access to the necessary resources and a safe environment to rebuild their lives” she said, promising that the initiative will also help survivors regain their financial independence.

“It was important that we give the survivors tools rather than means to begin their journey towards healing. This includes comprehensive physical and mental health services,” she stated.

She stressed on the need to provide legal assistance for survivors to navigate the challenges and to hold perpetrators accountable.

Esther Ikere, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare stressed that conflict, and sexual violence remains a prevalent issue in South Sudan despite many efforts made to address them.

“We advocate a contraceptive approach in addressing and responding to sexual violence. This is because we will put survivors at the center of the response,” she stated. Ikere said thet while most of the interventions have focused on medical issues, legal aid and psychosocial support, there is need to offer some means of economic independence for the survivors.

One of the survivors stated that the  UN Action had really changed the lives of the survivors.

“Most of them don’t know how to jumpstart their lives. After receiving startup capital from UN Action, they have managed to gain foothold and rebuild their lives,” she said.