LAW Africa Field Mission

In July 2019, LAW undertook a field mission to further engage South Sudanese SGBV survivors, listening and documenting their views, concerns, demands for justice and reparations for the violations they suffered. Survivors continue to emphasise their demand for justice and comprehensive reparations that take into account their daily challenges, such as medical care and education. One survivor said that “I want my issue to be taken seriously. The right steps should be taken to bring justice for what the government and the soldiers have caused me.”  Another survivor stated that “the government of  South Sudan should be brought to justice for what happened during the war and the soldiers held accountable.”  

South Sudan’s armed conflict, led to thousands displaced and killed, has had a staggering effect on women and girls, with sexual violence being widespread and systematic. There have been minimal efforts to bring justice to survivors. LAW is working close to them to enable them to obtain legal redress for the violations. In December 2018, LAW supported 30 South Sudanese in their groundbreaking complaint to the CEDAW Committee in Geneva, in relation to sexual and gender-based violence, including rape, gang-rape and sexual slavery, perpetrated by the army of South Sudan.

You can find more about LAW’s work on South Sudan here, and more information on the Communication before the CEDAW Committee here.