South Sudan: A deepening crisis for women and girls

^{Internally displaced women from IDP camps in Renk, South Sudan. Photo by Sarah Chaat/UN Women.}

South Sudan is facing an escalating humanitarian emergency where women and girls are bearing the heaviest burden. Since the beginning of 2026, more than 100 women and girls have been displaced every hour, as violence intensifies across the country.

Nearly 60 per cent of the 375,825 people displaced this year—over 223,000—are women and girls, highlighting the disproportionate impact of conflict on their lives. 

In hotspots such as Jonglei State, displacement has reached alarming levels, while communities face repeated attacks, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of basic services. Women and girls are not only losing their homes, but also their safety, dignity, and access to essential care with the crisis compounded by a severe hunger emergency. 

Colliding crises: Violence, hunger and displacement

^{UN Women ESA Regional Director Anna Mutavati and  UN women SSCO Deputy Representative Hulda Atieno Ouma (Left) meets  with Hon. Mary Nawai Martin, S. Sudan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and DG Mario Ministry of Youth and Sports (Right) in a mission to Juba to reinforce UN Women’s leadership in advancing gender equality across humanitarian response, peacebuilding, and political processes at a time of deepening crisis. Photo by Sarah Chaat/UN Women.}

The realities on the ground reflect a convergence of overlapping crises. Conflict, economic instability, climate shocks, and mass displacement are pushing millions into extreme vulnerability.

Across the country:

• 5 million women and girls require humanitarian assistance, including 2.5 million in need of gender-based violence services. 
• Over half of the population is experiencing high levels of food insecurity, with millions facing crisis or worse levels of hunger. 
• Women and girls face increased risks of sexual violence, exploitation, and harmful coping mechanisms during displacement. 

The collapse of health services further worsens the situation. In some conflict-affected areas, looted and destroyed facilities mean women are forced to give birth without medical assistance, in a country already grappling with one of the highest maternal mortality rates globally. 

At the same time, the arrival of 2.4 million refugees and returnees from Sudan, combined with millions already internally displaced, is placing extraordinary pressure on fragile systems. 

Grounded leadership: UN Women’s response

^{UN Women ESA Regional Director Anna Mutavati with South Sudan UN Women staff. Photo by Sarah Chaat/UN Women.}

In this moment of crisis, UN Women’s approach in South Sudan is rooted in grounded leadership—placing women at the center of response, recovery, and peacebuilding efforts.

UN Women is working directly with women-led and community-based organizations, ensuring that responses are locally driven and responsive to the realities faced by women and girls. 

Key areas of engagement include:

• Delivering life-saving support, including shelter, healthcare, psychosocial care, legal aid, and protection services
• Supporting livelihood opportunities to help women rebuild economic resilience
• Advancing women’s leadership in governance, peace, and security processes 

This approach is anchored in a broader vision: sustainable peace is only possible when women are fully and meaningfully included in decision-making.

Women as agents of peace and change

Even amid crisis, South Sudanese women continue to demonstrate resilience and leadership. UN Women has supported initiatives that strengthen women’s roles as mediators, negotiators, and community leaders.

Women mediators trained and supported by UN Women are actively facilitating dialogue and fostering political engagement, helping to bridge divides and advance peace efforts. 

At a national level, UN Women also supports frameworks such as:

• The 35 per cent quota for women’s representation in governance
• The Women, Peace and Security agenda
• Capacity-building for women leaders, civil society groups, and institutions 

These efforts reinforce the principle that women are not only victims of conflict, but also critical actors in shaping solutions and rebuilding communities.

The urgent Call to Action

^{UN Women ESA Regional Director Anna Mutavati in one of her meetings with partners during a five-day mission in Juba, South Sudan. Photo by Sarah Chaat/UN Women.}

The scale of the crisis demands urgent and sustained global attention. UN Women is calling for:

• Increased and flexible funding for women-led organizations
• Protection of women’s and girls’ rights, including access to services
• Full implementation of peace agreements and gender quotas
• Inclusive and credible political processes that ensure women’s participation 

Without decisive action, the risks will continue to deepen—not only for women and girls, but for the stability and future of South Sudan as a whole.

South Sudan stands at a critical crossroads. As conflict, displacement, and hunger intensify, the experiences of women and girls reveal both the depth of the crisis and the pathway to recovery.

By investing in women-led responses and ensuring their full participation in peace and governance, South Sudan has a stronger chance of building a future that is more just, inclusive, and resilient.