Preventing Gender-based Violence in South Sudan

The humanitarian context in South Sudan, affected by ongoing civil conflict and political unrest, is extremely challenging. Decades of instability have left millions displaced, facing food insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and a heightened risk of violence, particularly for women and girls. IsraAID continues to respond to the evolving situation, supporting disaster-affected populations with community-centered, locally embedded programs.

One key area of focus is combating gender-based violence (GBV) through public health, education, protection, and livelihoods programs. Recognizing that GBV thrives in environments of social and economic hardship, IsraAID works to address the root causes while also providing immediate support.

We recently expanded our public health work to incorporate new aspects of sexual and reproductive health. This is particularly crucial in South Sudan, where limited access to information and services can have devastating consequences. Our team has been conducting sexual health and reproductive rights workshops in Juba IDP Camp. In these sessions, women can freely share their personal experiences and better understand their sexual reproductive rights - a right often denied due to cultural stigma or lack of knowledge. With professional support available to those in need, the sessions create a safe space for women, foster a sense of trust, and empower participants with vital resources and skills.

“When we started, it was very difficult for the women in the group to open up - especially about difficult topics - but as time went by, women started sharing their stories and seeking help to receive services,” - Johnson, Reproductive Health Officer

We are grateful for your continued generosity that enables us to support vulnerable women in South Sudan to build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

The humanitarian landscape in South Sudan remains fraught with challenges, characterized by enduring civil conflict,  political unrest, and mass displacement. The conflict that broke out in Sudan in April 2023 displaced 259,000 people into South Sudan, further burdening an already precarious system. The influx, comprising mostly women and children, included a significant number of re-displaced South Sudanese people who had previously fled to Sudan. This pattern of cyclical displacement has exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities, escalating food insecurity and amplifying the risk of gender-based violence (GBV). The need for robust and comprehensive humanitarian programming is critical.

Our teams have worked long-term in Juba I and III Internally-Displaced Person (IDP) camps since 2011, and continued to offer affected communities a sense of safety and stability amidst their displacement throughout 2023. Together with our local partners, we ensured consistent and reliable access to basic services, information, and essential items while making significant strides in improving interconnected protection, health, and hygiene outcomes for IDPs.

Over the past year, we visited hundreds of households each month, engaging children and adults with informal psychosocial support (PSS) and identifying cases of concern, including instances of psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and forced marriage. We referred these cases to specialist services and made follow-up visits to provide ongoing guidance to those affected. Our GBV prevention and response efforts also included co-chairing the GBV Sub-Cluster meeting every month for Central Equatoria State, where our programs are concentrated. The forum brings together representatives from some 40 community-based organizations, international NGOs, and UN agencies. We share expertise and coordinate responses to minimize duplication and target our support effectively. To further embed local expertise, we provided training to frontline service providers, including healthcare workers and police officers, and IDPs from the communities we work with, including community elders and teachers. This initiative equipped communities to address critical gaps in GBV service delivery, ensuring sustainable, coordinated, and locally-driven referral mechanisms. Building local capacity fosters long-term resilience within communities, enabling them to effectively meet their own needs. 

In complement to our broader programs, we implemented targeted campaigns to address key issues specific to the South Sudanese context. For example, during World Breastfeeding Week, we shared key messages with more than 4,500 people, mostly mothers, through individual conversations and group sessions at our Community Engagement Centers (CECs) and local schools. These messages covered the importance of breastfeeding; locally available foods to introduce from six months; and maternal nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We also focused on the connection between water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices, like handwashing, and nutrition. 

Over the coming year, IsraAID will continue to sustain core programs while adapting to new challenges as they arise. We remain committed to supporting crisis-affected communities in South Sudan into 2024, and for as long as we are needed. We are grateful for your support!