Preventing sexualised and gender-based violence

Context

Following ongoing armed conflicts and climate-related disasters, 2.3 million people have fled South Sudan to neighbouring countries. Approximately 2.2 million people have been displaced within the country.

An estimated 65 per cent of women and girls in South Sudan experience physical, sexual or gender-based violence during their lifetime. For displaced women and girls, the risk is particularly high.

In South Sudan, violence and human rights violations often go unpunished. Many victims are unaware of their rights. A lack of punishment for perpetrators, stigmatisation and substantial obstacles in the judicial system represent further barriers to asserting these rights.

In many places, services to support survivors of sexual violence, such as counselling, health services and legal advice are lacking or limited.

Objective

The prevention of sexualised and gender-based violence in the context of (forced) displacement has improved.

Approach

The project supports internally displaced people, returnees and host communities in preventing sexualised and gender-based violence and promoting gender equality. It operates in three fields of activity:

1. Advising families on conflict resolution: The project promotes advisory services that support families in difficult situations and offer protection to those affected. The services also aim to make men more aware of their responsibility in preventing violence.
    
2. Strengthening and connecting women’s groups: Women's groups and organisations are supported in networking and contributing their voices collectively to national discourses. Selected women’s groups also receive financial support to implement their own prevention projects.
    
3. Awareness and support for students: The project advises schools on how they can implement national guidelines on violence prevention. Through gender-transformative activities, students learn to question gender roles and educate other young adults about alternative behaviours. (This field of activity is not cofinanced by the European Union.)

To implement these activities, the project collaborates with CARE, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Women for Women International, and the South Sudanese non-governmental organisation Voice for Change.

Last update: May 2024