Women, girls bear brunt of sexual violence in South Sudan: UNMISS

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By Matik Kueth

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reported that women and girls are more severely impacted by sexual assaults related to sub-national conflicts across the country.

In a statement obtained by King News on Monday, Nicolas Haysom, head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), stated that women and girls are still greatly impacted by sexual violence linked to hostilities, with up to 99 percent of victims having verified cases.

“The considerable increase in violent incidents, especially abductions and attacks against women, is alarming and must stop,” Haysom said.

He emphasized that enduring peace and stability are based on respect for human rights.

“Given the recent extension of the transitional period, it is vital that national, state, and local authorities as well as communities and their leaders redouble their efforts to resolve longstanding conflict drivers through dialogue,” he stated.

Haysom noted that the mission is still to protect citizens nationwide, unite communities to resolve differences, and actively promote political and peace processes.

According to a UNMISS assessment, 317 incidences (including 160 women and 188 children) affecting at least 1,062 civilians were registered between April and June 2024; 297 people were injured, and 442 civilians were murdered.

The mission stated that 126 people had experienced sexual assault and 97 civilians had been kidnapped.

It said that when compared to the same period in 2023, there has been a sharp increase of 43% in the number of violent occurrences (from 222 to 317) and a 22% increase in the number of victims (from 871 to 1,062).

“These numbers also indicate a 32 percent uptick in violent incidents (from 240 to 317) and a 16 percent increase in the number of victims (from 913 to 1,062) in comparison to the previous quarter (January – March 2024),” the Mission said in a statement.

However, the UN Mission expressed concern over the rise in reported abductions and sexual assaults, noting that the number of abductions increased by a startling 181 percent (from 70 to 197).

Additionally, there was a 167 percent rise in the number of sexual assault victims (from 47 to 126).

UNMISS urged the government to safeguard civilians by stopping violent cycles, looking into human rights violations and abuses, adhering to international humanitarian law, and prosecuting offenders under the law.