UPR Sexual Rights Database

"According to AI, sexual and gender-based violence was widespread in the context of the conflict. There were cases of sexual slavery and gang-rape, including of girls as young as eight years old. There had also been cases of men and boys being castrated.

WLPoC stated that women and girls living in Unity State were at heightened risk of experiencing rape, and other forms of sexual violence. Rape and sexual violence not related to the conflict were likely to be more prominent than conflict-related sexual violence, however, it had been less documented. [Paras 32-33]"

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]

Decriminalize sexual relations between consenting adults of the same sex by repealing Article 248 of the Penal Code.

Allocate resources to implement policies and concrete enforcement measures to further protect women and girls, and to strengthen the administration of justice.

The Commission [on Human Rights in South Sudan] recommended that the Government: ... mandate the committee to advise on the role of domestic and military courts in the prosecution of conflict-related sexual violence and on a comprehensive investigation and prosecutorial strategy. [Para 62]

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]

... continue efforts for the ratification of the ICCPR, the ICESCR, and the CRPD.

Continue to take steps to promote the rights of women.

Continue to intensify efforts to expand protection from sexual and gender-based violence by ensuring adequate funding of safe homes and Special Protection Units.