GovWire

On 21-24 May 2017, the Rt Hon Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE, the Prime Ministers Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, visited South Sudan. This visit raised awareness of the work the UK is undertaking to support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the country and to encourage the leaders in South Sudan to take action.

Whilst in South Sudan, the Minister met with the new Chief of the Defence Forces and government officials to urge them to end the conflict, stop attacks on civilians and enable humanitarian aid to reach those in need across the country. She also met David Shearer, the Special Representative to the Secretary General for the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), to hear about the challenges the mission is facing to fulfil its mandate to protect civilians.

The Minister met with civil society groups, NGOs and UN agencies during a UK-funded UN Population Fund workshop, to look at the challenges around tackling the stigma that many survivors of sexual violence face.

On a visit to the town of Malakal, Baroness Anelay spoke with UK troops deployed to UNMISS, who are providing engineering and medical support. She also heard the challenges and risks women and girls face living at the UN Protection of Civilians camp.

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