Nearly 60 per cent of the 375,825 people displaced in South Sudan since the beginning of 2026 are women and girls, highlighting the disproportionate impact of escalating violence on vulnerable populations. According to UN data, this translates to an average of about 104 women and girls being displaced every hour, with the highest concentration of displacement recorded in Jonglei State in the eastern region of the country.
Women and girls have not only been displaced but have also been directly affected by targeted violence and killings in ongoing conflicts. Reports indicate that they were among the victims of deadly attacks in multiple states, including a major incident in Ruweng Administrative Area, as well as earlier violence in Jonglei and Unity states, which have become persistent hotspots of insecurity.
The humanitarian situation has been further worsened by the destruction and looting of health facilities, particularly in Jonglei State, severely limiting access to essential healthcare services. This has left many women giving birth without medical assistance in a country already facing one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world.
The crisis has created severe humanitarian needs, with an estimated 5 million women and girls requiring assistance in 2026. Among them, around 2.5 million need support related to gender-based violence. Even before the latest escalation, a large majority of women and girls across the country had already reported experiencing violence, reflecting deeply entrenched protection risks.
Food insecurity is also worsening as the lean season begins, with reports of women and girls surviving on wild plants and going days without food. Rising malnutrition and displacement have further increased exposure to sexual violence, particularly during daily survival activities such as collecting water and firewood.
The situation is compounded by regional instability, including the conflict in neighbouring Sudan, which has driven millions of refugees and returnees into South Sudan. Combined with internal displacement, this has placed additional pressure on already limited national resources and services.
Humanitarian agencies, including UN Women, are responding through partnerships with women-led organisations to provide essential services such as shelter, healthcare, psychosocial support, legal aid, and livelihoods assistance. They are also working to strengthen women’s participation in peacebuilding and governance processes, emphasising their critical role in achieving long-term stability.
UN Women has called for increased and flexible funding for women-led organisations, improved access to education and basic services for girls, and stronger support for women-headed households. It has also urged full implementation of peace agreements, greater political inclusion of women, and a transparent electoral process ahead of the 2026 elections to ensure meaningful participation in shaping the country’s future.
