UN Envoy on Youth wraps up week-long visit to South Sudan, calls on leaders to end SGBV

January 31, 2020 Newsbeat

The UN Secretary General’s Youth Envoy, Jayathma Wickramanayake during an organized event in Juba (Photo: File)

January 31, 2020 (SSNN)—The UN Secretary General’s Youth Envoy, Jayathma Wickramanayake, has concluded her week-long visit to South Sudan with an appeal to the leaders of South Sudan’s to end gender-based violence and forced marriage that have posed significant threats to women and girls in the country.

“We have to help these young women to realize their fullest potential otherwise we will be derailing the lives of millions of girls who can otherwise be leaders that are leading this country towards peace and development.”

According to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, “The voices of strong and resilient South Sudanese women and girls have inspired the UN Envoy on Youth to advocate for greater investment in education and increased youth participation in the peace process during a trip to the country.”

As she concluded her five days visit in South Sudan, the UN Secretary General’s Youth Envoy, Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayake noted that “peace is a great pre-condition for young people to thrive and contribute to their country’s growth.”

Sexual violence has continued at an alarming rate despite the ongoing peace agreement signed by the South Sudanese government and opposition groups.

Last year, the United Nations released a worrying report, highlighting high levels of sexual violence in various parts of the country, including sexual assaults in Unity State, where at least 134 women and girls were raped, and 41 women were subjected to other forms of sexual violence.