UN, Partners Launch Five-Year Strategy to Combat Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in South Sudan

Copyright: OCHA/Alioune NDIAYE

The United Nations and humanitarian partners in South Sudan have launched a five-year strategy aimed at strengthening efforts to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and improve protection and support for affected communities.

The Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment System-Wide Implementation Strategy 2025–2029 was launched by the United Nations Country Team and Humanitarian Country Team in partnership with the South Sudan government.

The strategy brings together government institutions, U.N. agencies, funds and programs, international and national nongovernmental organizations, civil society groups and other partners under a coordinated framework.

It was developed based on findings from two studies conducted in 2024: a Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Deep Dive Review and a Country Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Risk Assessment. The assessments drew on input from affected communities, civil society organizations, donors and members of the South Sudan PSEA Taskforce.

The strategy focuses on addressing systemic factors that contribute to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment across humanitarian, development and peacebuilding operations. It seeks to strengthen accountability, address power imbalances and cultural barriers, and promote safer organizational environments for aid workers and the communities they serve.

The five strategic priorities are leadership accountability and oversight, proactive prevention, safe and accessible reporting, victim-centered assistance, and investigations and accountability.

Under the prevention component, partners will strengthen safe recruitment practices, promote greater gender balance in the workforce and expand mandatory training on preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

The strategy also calls for confidential and accessible reporting and complaints mechanisms designed with communities, including safeguards for children, people with disabilities and whistleblowers.

For survivors and victims, the framework promotes longer-term support, including medical and psychological assistance as well as measures aimed at strengthening economic resilience.

It also seeks to improve investigations through transparent and trauma-informed procedures, including the use of local languages, while strengthening cooperation with South Sudan’s judiciary and promoting alignment with international legal and human rights standards.

Anita Kiki Gbeho, the U.N. deputy special representative of the secretary-general and resident and humanitarian coordinator for South Sudan, said the strategy would require collective action from all stakeholders.

“To achieve the ambitious goals outlined in this strategy, we call upon all stakeholders—government actors, UN agencies, civil society, donors, and communities—to join forces in a spirit of collective responsibility and partnership,” Gbeho said.

The strategy calls for coordinated resources, stronger partnerships and multi-year funding to expand implementation, particularly in rural and high-risk areas.

The U.N. and its partners said the framework is intended to establish a more consistent and accountable system for preventing sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and ensuring that people receiving assistance can access services in a safe and dignified environment.