Gender-Based Violence in South Sudan

South Sudan’s history of conflict, insecurity, economic crisis, and natural disasters have disproportionately impacted women and girls, with GBV continuing to be one of the most critical threats to their protection and well-being. At least a third of the population is displaced or affected by conflict, of which 85% are women and children, resulting in increased vulnerability to GBV.

WHAT IS GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE? 

Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. GBV can happen anywhere and can be committed by anyone. While anyone can experience GBV, women and girls are more vulnerable to GBV and more likely to experience it (about 1 in 3 women over the course of a lifetime) . However, it is important to note that men and boys can also experience GBV. There are 6 main types of GBV:

1. Physical violence or assault
2. Sexual violence or assault
3. Rape
4. Psychological or emotional violence
5. Denial of resources
6. Forced marriage.

GBV is widespread in South Sudan with about 65% of women and girls having been subject to GBV at some point in their lives, the majority before the age of 18. Patriarchal norms compounded by conflict, poverty, and unequal power relationships within households remain primary drivers of violence against women and girls. Multiple studies show that South Sudan suffers one of the highest levels of physical and sexual violence in the world, with an overwhelming majority of both male and female respondents reporting that violence, including GBV, is socially acceptable and normalized particularly within households and with regards to intimate partner violence (IPV). Decades of conflict have also resulted in violence being committed against men, women, boys, and girls as an act of war). Girls in particular suffer from elevated numbers of forced marriage and child marriage and as a result, a South Sudanese girl is more likely to die in childbirth than she is to finish school. Financial volatility, lack of access to essential services, and limited opportunities to join the labor market also adversely impact women and girls, resulting in increased child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and GBV.

As well, the recent impact of COVID-19 has exacerbated the risk of GBV particularly among vulnerable groups. Young women often had to take on additional caretaking responsibilities and bore the brunt of negative coping strategies such as dropping out of school or early marriage. Unfortunately, reporting of GBV remains minimal with survivors often fearing reprisal from their perpetrators, households, or communities. In many communities, GBV incidents are resolved through customary mechanisms that disadvantage survivors. Response services are largely unavailable across the country, making it extremely difficult for GBV survivors to both report incidents and receive support.

The World Bank’s Work on GBV Prevention, Mitigation, and Response

GBV is a cross-cutting issue that is critical across all sectors that the World Bank supports in South Sudan. The World Bank endeavors to mainstream gender and GBV prevention across its operations, including through the use of robust and GBV-sensitive grievance redress mechanisms (GRM). The World Bank has also developed tools to strengthen GBV prevention, mitigation, and response in South Sudan, including:

• A GBV-sensitive Community Engagement and Capacity Building Plan designed to be adapted for various projects and locations across South Sudan
• GBV-mainstreamed Cash Plus modules on financial literacy, early childhood development, nutrition, and Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
• A concept note with options for GBV-sensitive GRM channels for remote areas with low connectivity that would be accessible in rural South Sudan

South Sudan GBV Referral Services Database

This publicly available online repository of GBV referral service providers across South Sudan provides access to information on GBV service providers by the type of service and location. The World Bank fully manages and maintains the database which is updated regularly with the support of partners and stakeholders in the GBV space, including the South Sudan GBV Sub-Cluster.