UN envoy on sexual violence to visit South Sudan

October 3, 2014 (NEW YORK) – The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on sexual violence in conflict, Zainab Bangura, will make her first visit to South Sudan from Sunday, Stephane Dujarric, the Secretary-General’s spokesperson announced on Friday.

Bangura would discuss what concrete measures could be taken to prevent and respond to violations taking place in South Sudan, including providing critical support to survivors, Dujarric told reporters in New York.

“Since fighting broke out in South Sudan last December, incidents of rape, forced abortion and sexual harassment by all sides have been reported,” he stressed.

“There are also grave concerns regarding the ethnic dimensions of the conflict, with reports of collective punishment, including sexual violence, fuelling reprisals and a cycle of revenge,” Dujarric added.

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, appointed Bangura as Special Representative on sexual violence in conflict on 4 September 2012. She becomes the second person to recieve this mandate having replaced Margot Wallström, whose term of service expired on October 2012.

Up to 24,000 women are now at risk of sexual violence in South Sudan, with many women exposed after fleeing into the bush to escape soldiers and rebels, UN agencies say.

(ST)