In South Sudan, women and girls lack decision-making power at household and community levels. Additionally, women and girls are highly vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV). They are targeted for rape, abduction, forced marriage and sexual slavery. Even in their homes, women and children are often subject to acts of GBV perpetrated by their husbands and fathers. Women’s vulnerability to GBV is increased by on-going insecurity, environmental stress, and male gender norms that equate power over women with masculinity. IDPS and female headed households face unique risks of GBV and sexual exploitation due to limited security caused by poor living conditions, the requirement to undertake risky livelihood practices to survive, and limited social protection. The risk of GBV exacerbates women and girls’ already vulnerable condition resulting from their lack of voice and participation, unequal care burden, less access to food than men, limited income generating opportunities and little to no control over assets and earned resources.
At UNYDA, our Gender Justice program addresses the causes and consequences of gender inequality. While we believe gender inequality is detrimental for everyone, we focus particularly on the needs of women who have traditionally had difficulty accessing justice.
We recognize the need for gender mainstreaming across all the programs with a view of full, equal and effective participation of women.
We emphasizes the vital roles of women in preventing and resolving conflict and peace-building