.png)
 |
Map courtesy: Directorate of Intelligence, United States Central Intelligence Agency [Public domain] |
A recently-released report outlines an alarming rate of sexual violence against women and girls in the northern Unity region of South Sudan.
The report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) contains findings of an investigation carried out by the UNMISS Human Rights Division (HRD) between December 4–24, 2018.
The investigation reported at least 134 cases of rape or gang rape and 41 cases of other forms of sexual and/or physical violence. Of these, 111 victims were women and 64 were girls (some as young as 8).
The HRD believes the attacks were carried out by armed elements of the pro-Taban Deng Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition and the Government’s South Sudan People’s Defence Forces. Youth militias affiliated with the former group are believed to have been involved in a number of cases as well.
The report outlines multiple factors which have contributed to the increase in attacks on women and girls in northern Unity. There are large numbers of fighters on standby — waiting for the implementation of the peace deal signed back in September. As well, the lack of accountability (both direct and command responsibility) and absence of the rule of law in the area have contributed to the increase in sexual crimes.
Women and girls often have to travel long distances through high-risk areas to gather food, water and firewood.
The report encourages the international community to continue supporting local and international humanitarian and women’s organizations to provide timely and adequate medical and psychosocial assistance for survivors of sexual violence.
It also urges the government of South Sudan to ensure humanitarian and aid groups are able to conduct their work without fear of reprisal and with unobstructed access to victims.