UPR Sexual Rights Database

The adoption of the National Gender Policy; Public Service Gender Mainstreaming and Sensitization Manual; National Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Prevention, protection and Response to Gender Based Violence; National Action Plan for implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1325 (2015–2020) and Policy on Children without Parental Care, are prove of the Government efforts to eradicate harmful customs and traditions which places women at lower scale level of the society. The Government has established fourteen (14) Special Protection Units (SPU) at various police stations in Juba and other major cities to enable women, girls and children, report cases of gender based violence (GBV). In addition, the Government with international partners, established women Friendly Spaces in the country so that women and girls are encouraged to discuss issues related to their welfare and training on necessary social skills. The Government, with support from some financial international partners, advanced financial grants to women with aim of carrying out group-businesses. Before the 16 December 2013 conflict, the Government made plans for establishment of women’s bank and women’s empowerment trust fund with view of eliminating women inability to access capital credits and other financial services. [Para 57]

UNHCR recommended that South Sudan introduce specific laws on sexual and gender-based offences to better prevent and respond to gender-based violence. [Para 64]

Continue to take steps to ratify the ICCPR and the ICESCR.

Prosecute individuals responsible for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including conflict-related sexual and gender based violence.

Make the necessary efforts to strengthen the effective and meaningful participation of women in matters of peace and security.

Adopt a comprehensive law addressing all forms of violence against women and girls

Promptly ratify the ICCPR

Finalize the ratification process of the ICCPR and transpose into domestic law the provisions of the international ratified conventions

The Constitution provides that women will be accorded full and equal dignity of the person with men; have the right to equal pay for equal work; participate equally with men in public life and promote women participation in public life and their representation in the legislative and executive organs by at least 25% as an affirmative action to redress imbalances created by history, customs and traditions. The Government established Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare with mission of promoting and protecting human rights of vulnerable groups, women and children, elderly and persons with special needs. The Ministry, in collaboration with state Ministries of Social Development and civil society, work together to ensure appropriate measures for elimination or mitigation of injustices and equitable distribution of resources. The National Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare also prepared a Gender Policy Framework that lays out programmes for the whole country. Under the policy, principle of gender mainstreaming is given prominent focus in which government and private sector institutions are to work towards elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and vulnerable groups. [Para 51]

JS6 recommended that the Government continue its work with international agencies and civil society organizations to fulfil its Health Sector Strategic Plan and Health Systems Stabilization and Recovery Plan, with an emphasis on providing quality health care to mothers and new-born children. ADF recommended increasing efforts to improve the health-care system, including access to health facilities and skilled birth attendance and other resources for maternal health. [Para 45]

End the criminalization of sexual acts between consenting adults of the same sex.

Implement the national action plan to end child marriages before 2030.